Benzopyran compounds and methods for their use

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to organic molecules capable of modulating tyrosine kinase signal transduction in order to regulate, modulate and/or inhibit abnormal cell proliferation.

1. INTRODUCTION

The present invention relates to novel compounds capable of modulating, regulating and/or inhibiting tyrosine kinase signal transduction and methods thereof. The present invention is also directed to novel compounds and methods related to tyrosine kinases, whether of the receptor or non-receptor class, for the prevention and/or treatment of disorders related to abnormal cell differentiation, proliferation and survival.

2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) comprise a large and diverse class of proteins having enzymatic activity. The PTKs play an important role in the control of cell growth and differentiation (for review, see Schlessinger & Ullrich, 1992, Neuron 9:383-391).

For example, receptor tyrosine kinase mediated signal transduction is initiated by extracellular interaction with a specific growth factor (ligand), followed by receptor dimerization, transient stimulation of the intrinsic protein tyrosine kinase activity and phosphorylation. Binding sites are thereby created for intracellular signal transduction molecules and lead to the formation of complexes with a spectrum of cytoplasmic signalling molecules that facilitate the appropriate cellular response. (e.g., cell division, metabolic effects to the extrecellular microenvironment). Schlessinger and Ullrich, 1992, Neuron 9:383-391.

With respect to receptor tyrosine kinases, it has been shown also that tyrosine phosphorylation sites function as high-affinity binding sites for SH2 (src homology) domains of signaling molecules. Fantl et al., 1992, Cell 69:413-423; Songyang et al., 1994, Mol. Cell. Biol. 14:2777-2785); Songyang et al., 1993, Cell 72:767-778; and Koch et al., 1991, Science 252:668-678. Several intracellular substrate proteins that associate with receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) have been identified. They may be divided into two principal groups: (1) substrates which have a catalytic domain; and (2) substrates which lack such domain but serve as adapters and associate with catalytically active molecules. Songyang et al., 1993, Cell 72:767-778. The specificity of the interactions between receptors or proteins and SH2 domains of their substrates is determined by the amino acid residues immediately surrounding the phosphorylated tyrosine residue. Differences in the binding affinities between SH2 domains and the amino acid sequences surrounding the phosphotyrosine residues on particular receptors are consistent with the observed differences in their substrate phosphorylation profiles. Songyang et al., 1993, Cell 72:767-778. These observations suggest that the function of each receptor tyrosine kinase is determined not only by its pattern of expression and ligand availability but also by the array of downstream signal transduction pathways that are activated by a particular receptor. Thus, phosphorylation provides an important regulatory step which determines the selectivity of signaling pathways recruited by specific growth factor receptors, as well as differentiation factor receptors.

Aberrant expression or mutations in the PTKs have been shown to lead to either uncontrolled cell proliferation (e.g. malignant tumor growth) or to defects in key developmental processes. Consequently the biomedical community has expended significant resources to discover the specific biological role of members of the PTK family, their function in differentiation processes, their involvement in tumorigenesis and in other diseases, the biochemical mechanisms underlying their signal transduction pathways activated upon ligand stimulation and the development of novel drugs.

Tyrosine kinases can be of the receptor-type (having extracellular, transmembrane and intracellular domains) or the non-receptor type (being wholly intracellular).

Receptor Tyrosine Kinases.

The RTKs comprise a large family of transmembrane receptors with diverse biological activities. The intrinsic function of RTKs is activated upon ligand binding, which results in phosphorylation of the receptor and multiple cellular substrates, and subsequently in a variety of cellular responses. Ullrich & Schlessinger, 1990, Cell 61:203-212.

At present, at least nineteen (19) distinct RTK subfamilies have been identified. One RTK subfamily, designated the HER subfamily, is believed to be comprised of EGFR, HER2, HER3 and HER4. Ligands to the Her subfamily of receptors include epithelial growth factor (EGF), TGF-α, amphiregulin, HB-EGF, betacellulin and heregulin.

A second family of RTKs, designated the insulin subfamily, is comprised of the INS-R, the IGF-1R and the IR-R. A third family; the "PDGF" subfamily includes the PDGF α and β receptors, CSFIR, c-kit and FLK-II. Another subfamily of RTKs, identified as the FLK family, is believed to be comprised of the Kinase insert Domain-Receptor fetal liver kinase-1 (KDR/FLK-1), the fetal liver kinase 4 (FLK-4) and the fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (flt-1). Each of these receptors was initially believed to be receptors for hematopoietic growth factors. Two other subfamilies of RTKs have been designated as the FGF receptor family (FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3 and FGFR4) and the Met subfamily (c-met and Ron).

Because of the similarities between the PDGF and FLK subfamilies, the two subfamilies are often considered together. The known RTK subfamilies are identified in Plowman et al., 1994, DN&P 7:334-339, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The Non-Receptor Tyrosine Kinases.

The non-receptor tyrosine kinases represent a collection of cellular enzymes which lack extracellular and transmembrane sequences. At present, over twenty-four individual non-receptor tyrosine kinases, comprising eleven (11) subfamilies (Src, Frk, Btk, Csk, Abl, Zap70, Fes/Fps, Fak, Jak, Ack and LIMK) have been identified. At present, the Src subfamily of non-receptor tyrosine kinases is comprised of the largest number of PTKs and include Src, Yes, Fyn, Lyn, Lck, Blk, Hck, Fgr and Yrk. The Src subfamily of enzymes has been linked to oncogenesis. A more detailed discussion of non-receptor tyrosine kinases is provided in Bolen, 1993, Oncogene 8:2025-2031, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Many of the tyrosine kinases, whether an RTK or non-receptor tyrosine kinase, have been found to be involved in cellular signaling pathways leading to cellular signal assays signalling pathways leading to pathogenic conditions, including cancer, psoriasis and hyper immune response.

Development Of Compounds To Modulate The PTKs.

In view of the surmised importance of PTKs to the control, regulation and modulation of cell proliferation and the diseases and disorders associated with abnormal cell proliferation, many attempts have been made to identify receptor and non-receptor tyrosine kinase "inhibitors" using a variety of approaches, including the use of mutant ligands (U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,849), soluble receptors and antibodies (Application No. WO 94/10202; Kendall & Thomas, 1994, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci 90:10705-09; Kim, et al., 1993, Nature 362:841-844), RNA ligands (Jellinek, et al., Biochemistry 33:10450-56); Takano, et al., 1993, Mol. Bio. Cell 4:358A; Kinsella, et al., 1992, Exp. Cell Res. 199:56-62; Wright, et al., 1992, J. Cellular Phys. 152:448-57) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (WO 94/03427; WO 92/21660; WO 91/15495; WO 94/14808; U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,992; Mariani, et al., 1994, Proc. Am. Assoc. Cancer Res. 35:2268).

More recently, attempts have been made to identify small molecules which act as tyrosine kinase inhibitors. For example, bis monocyclic, bicyclic or heterocyclic aryl compounds (PCT WO 92/20642), vinylene-azaindole derivatives (PCT WO 94/14808) and 1-cycloproppyl-4-pyridyl-quinolones (U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,992) have been described generally as tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Styryl compounds (U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,999), styryl-substituted pyridyl compounds (U.S. Pat. No. 5,302,606), certain quinazoline derivatives (EP Application No. 0 566 266 A1), seleoindoles and selenides (PCT WO 94/03427), tricyclic polyhydroxylic compounds (PCT WO 92/21660) and benzylphosphonic acid compounds (PCT WO 91/15495) have been described as compounds for use as tyrosine kinase inhibitors for use in the treatment of cancer.

The identification of effective small compounds which specifically inhibit tyrosine signal transduction by modulating the activity of receptor and non-receptor tyrosine kinases to regulate and modulate abnormal or inappropriate cell proliferation is therefore desirable and the object of this invention.

3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to organic molecules capable of modulating, regulating and/or inhibiting tyrosine kinase signal transduction. Specifically, the compounds of the present invention have the formulae: ##STR1## wherein: X is O or S;

Q is an aryl (either mono- or bicyclic) optionally substituted with one or more R² ;

n is 1, 2, 3 or 4;

R¹ is cyano, NO₂, C(O)NHR², S(O)₂ R² or S(O)₂ NHR² ; and

R² is H, halo, trihalomethyl, alkyl, thioalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonyl, amide, carboxyl, sulfonamide, or amino.

Preferably, the compounds of the present invention have the formulae: ##STR2## wherein R₂ and Q are as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         R.sub.2         Q                                                              ______________________________________                                         6,8-dichloro    4-fluorophenyl                                                 8-methoxy       4-fluorophenyl                                                 6-chloro        2,4-dichlorophenyl                                             6-chloro        4-(methylmercapto)phenyl                                       6-chloro        4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl                                       6-chloro        4-phenoxyphenyl                                                H               4-isopropylphenyl                                              benzo           4-chlorophenyl                                                 H               thien-2-yl                                                     H               2-methoxyphenyl                                                6-bromo         2-methoxyphenyl                                                H               benzofuran-2-yl                                                6-chloro        2-cyanophenyl                                                  8-methoxy       2-nitrothien-4-yl                                              8-methoxy       4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl                                      8-methoxy       1-phenylpyrazol-3-yl                                           8-methoxy       1-methylpyrazol-3-yl                                           8-methoxy       5-bromo-2-methoxyphenyl                                        8-methoxy       4-cyanophenyl                                                  8-methoxy       thien-3-yl                                                     8-methoxy       (trifluoromethyl)phenyl                                        8-methoxy       thien-2-yl                                                     6,8-dichloro    2-hydroxy-3-methoxy                                            6,8-dichloro    4-chloro-1-                                                                    methylpyrazol-3-yl                                             6,8-dichloro    3-bromothien-5-yl                                              6,8-dichloro    2,5-dimethoxyphenyl                                            6,8-dichloro    4-t-butylphenyl                                                6,8-dichloro    4-acetamidophenyl                                              6,8-dichloro    dioxolo 2,3-c!phenyl                                           ______________________________________                                    

The present invention is further directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of the above-described compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. Such a composition is believed to modulate signal transduction by a tyrosine kinase, either by inhibition of catalytic activity, affinity to ATP or ability to interact with a substrate.

More particularly, the compositions of the present invention may be included in methods for treating diseases comprising proliferation or metabolic disorders, for example cancer, fibrosis, psoriasis, atherosclerosis, arthritis, and other disorders related to abnormal vasculogenesis and/or angiogenesis, such as diabetic retinopathy.

3.1. Definitions

"Pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt" refers to those salts which retain the biological effectiveness and properties of the free bases and which are obtained by reaction with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, salicylic acid and the like.

"Alkyl" refers to a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon, including straight-chain, branched-chain, and cyclic alkyl groups. Preferably, the alkyl group has 1 to 12 carbons. More preferably, it is a lower alkyl of from 1 to 7 carbons, more preferably 1 to 4 carbons. Typical alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tertiary butyl, pentyl, hexyl and the like. The alkyl group may be substituted or unsubstituted. When substituted, the substituted group(s) is preferably, hydroxyl, cyano, alkoxy, ═O, ═S, NO₂, N(CH₃)₂, amino, or SH.

"Alkenyl" refers to an unsaturated hydrocarbon group containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond, including straight-chain, branched-chain, and cyclic groups. Preferably, the alkenyl group has 1 to 12 carbons. More preferably it is a lower alkenyl of from 1 to 7 carbons, more preferably 1 to 4 carbons. The alkenyl group may be substituted or unsubstituted. When substituted, the substitutent group(s) is preferably, hydroxyl, cyano, alkoxy, ═O, ═S, NO₂, halogen, N(CH₃)₂ amino, or SH. An "alkynyl" group refers to an unsaturated hydrocarbon group containing at least one carbon-carbon triple bond, including straight-chain, branched-chain, and cyclic groups. Preferably, the alkynyl group has 1 to 12 carbons. More preferably it is a lower alkynyl of from 1 to 7 carbons, more preferably 1 to 4 carbons. The alkynyl group may be substituted or unsubstituted. When substituted, the substitutent group(s) is preferably, hydroxyl, cyano, alkoxy, ═O, ═S, NO₂, halogen, N(CH₃)₂, amino, or SH.

"Alkoxy" refers to an "O-alkyl" group, where "alkyl" is defined as described above.

"Aryl" refers to an aromatic group which has at least one ring having a conjugated pi electron system and includes carboxylic aryl, heterocyclic aryl and biaryl groups, all of which may be optionally substituted. Preferably, the aryl is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl or pyridyl. Preferred aryl substituent(s) are halogen, trihalomethyl, hydroxyl, SH OH, NO₂, amine, thioether, cyano, alkoxy, alkyl, and amino groups.

"Alkylaryl" refers to an alkyl (as described above), covalently joined to an aryl group (as described above). Preferably, the alkyl is a lower alkyl.

"Carbocylic aryl" refers to a group wherein the ring atoms on the aromatic ring are all carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are optionally substituted.

"Heterocyclic aryl" refers to groups having from 1 to 3 heteroatoms as ring atoms in the aromatic ring and the remainder of the ring atoms are carbon atoms. Suitable heteroatoms include oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen, and include furanyl, thienyl, pyridyl, pyrrolyl, N-lower alkyl pyrrolo, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, imidazolyl and the like, all optionally substituted.

"Amide" l refers to an --C(O)--NH--R, where R is either alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or hydrogen.

"Thioamide" refers to --C(S)--NH--R, where R is either alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or hydrogen.

"Amine" refers to a --N(R")R"', where R" and R"', is independently either hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, or alkylaryl, provided that R" and R"' are not both hydrogen.

"Thioether" refers to --S--R, where R is either alkyl, aryl, or alkylaryl.

"Sulfonyl" refers to --S(O)₂ --R, where R is aryl, C(CN)═C-ary, CH--₂ --CN, alkyaryl, NH-alkyl, NH-alkylaryl, or NH-aryl.

4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compounds capable of regulating and/or modulating tyrosine kinase signal transduction and more particularly receptor and non-receptor tyrosine kinase signal transduction

Receptor tyrosine kinase mediated signal transduction is initiated by extracellular interaction with a specific growth factor (ligand), followed by receptor dimerization, transient stimulation of the intrinsic protein tyrosine kinase activity and phosphorylation. Binding sites are thereby created for intracellular signal transduction molecules and lead to the formation of complexes with a spectrum of cytoplasmic signalling molecules that facilitate the appropriate cellular response (e.g., cell division, metabolic effects to the extracellular microenvironment). See, Schlessinger and Ullrich, 1992, Neuron 9:383-391.

It has been shown that tyrosine phosphorylation sites in growth factor receptors function as high-affinity binding sites for SH2 (src homology) domains of signaling molecules. Fantl et al., 1992, Cell 69:413-423; Songyang et al., 1994, Mol. Cell. Biol. 14:2777-2785); Songyang et al., 1993, Cell 72:767-778; and Koch et al., 1991, Science 252:668-678. Several intracellular substrate proteins that associate with receptor tyrosine kinases have been identified. They may be divided into two principal groups: (1) substrates which have a catalytic domain; and (2) substrates which lack such domain but serve as adapters and associate with catalytically active molecules. Songyang et al., 1993, Cell 72:767-778. The specificity of the interactions between receptors and SH2 domains of their substrates is determined by the amino acid residues immediately surrounding the phosphorylated tyrosine residue. Differences in the binding affinities between SH2 domains and the amino acid sequences surrounding the phosphotyrosine residues on particular receptors are consistent with the observed differences in their substrate phosphorylation profiles. Songyang et al., 1993, Cell 72:767-778. These observations suggest that the function of each receptor tyrosine kinase is determined not only by its pattern of expression and ligand availability but also by the array of downstream signal transduction pathways that are activated by a particular receptor. Thus, phosphorylation provides an important regulatory step which determines the selectivity of signaling pathways recruited by specific growth factor receptors, as well as differentiation factor receptors.

Tyrosine kinase signal transduction results in, among other responses, cell proliferation, differentiation and metabolism. Abnormal cell proliferation may result in a wide array of disorders and diseases, including the development of neoplasia such as carcinoma, sarcoma, leukemia, glioblastoma, hemangioma, psoriasis, arteriosclerosis, arthritis and diabetic retinopathy (or other disorders related to uncontrolled angiogenesis and/or vasculogenesis).

This invention is therefore directed to compounds which regulate, modulate and/or inhibit disorders associated with abnormal cell proliferation by affecting the enzymatic activity of the RTKs and/or the non-receptor tyrosine kinases and interfering with the signal transduced such proteins. More particularly, the present invention is directed to compounds which regulate, modulate and/or inhibit the RTK and/or non-receptor tyrosine kinase mediated signal transduction pathways as a therapeutic approach to cure many kinds of solid tumors, including but not limited to carcinoma, sarcoma, leukemia, erythroblastoma, glioblastoma, meningioma, astrocytoma, melanoma and myoblastoma. Indications may include, but are not limited to brain cancers, bladder cancers, ovarian cancers, gastric cancers, pancreas cancers, colon cancers, blood cancers, lung cancers and bone cancers.

4.1. The Compounds

The invention is generally directed to compounds and/or compositions comprising compounds having the formulae: ##STR3## wherein: X is O or S;

Q is an aryl (either mono- or bicyclic) optionally substituted with one or more R² ;

n is 1, 2, 3 or 4;

R¹ is cyano, NO₂, C(O)NHR², S(O)₂ R² or S(O)₂ NHR² ; and

R² is H, halo, trihalomethyl, alkyl, thioalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonyl, amide, carboxyl, sulfonamide or amino.

Preferably, the compounds of the present invention have the formulae: ##STR4## wherein R₂ and Q are as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         R.sub.2          Q                                                             ______________________________________                                         6,8-dichloro     4-fluorophenyl                                                8-methoxy        4-fluorophenyl                                                6-chloro         2,4-dichlorophenyl                                            6-chloro         4-(methylmercapto)phenyl                                      6-chloro         4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl                                      6-chloro         4-phenoxyphenyl                                               H                4-isopropylphenyl                                             benzo            4-chlorophenyl                                                H                thien-2-yl                                                    H                2-methoxyphenyl                                               6-bromo          2-methoxyphenyl                                               H                benzofuran-2-yl                                               6-chloro         2-cyanophenyl                                                 8-methoxy        2-nitrothien-4-yl                                             8-methoxy        4-hydroxy-3-                                                                   methoxyphenyl                                                 8-methoxy        1-phenylpyrazol-3-yl                                          8-methoxy        1-methylpyrazol-3-yl                                          8-methoxy        5-bromo-2-methoxyphenyl                                       8-methoxy        4-cyanophenyl                                                 8-methoxy        thien-3-yl                                                    8-methoxy        3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl                                     8-methoxy        thien-2-yl                                                    6,8-dichloro     2-hydroxy-3-methoxy                                           6,8-dichloro     4-chloro-1-                                                                    methylpyrazol-3-yl                                            6,8-dichloro     3-bromothien-5-yl                                             6,8-dichloro     2,5-dimethoxyphenyl                                           6,8-dichloro     4-t-butylphenyl                                               6,8-dichloro     4-acetamidophenyl                                             6,8-dichloro     dioxolo 2,3-c!phenyl                                          ______________________________________                                    

The chemical formulae referred herein may exhibit the phenomenon of tautomerism. As the formulae drawing within this specification can only represent one of the possible tautomeric forms, it should be understood that the invention encompasses any tautomeric form which possesses the ability to regulate and/or modulate cell proliferation and is not limited to any one tautomeric form utilized within the formulae drawing.

In addition to the above compounds and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, the invention is further directed, where applicable, to solvated as well as unsolvated forms of the compounds (e.g. hydrated forms) having the ability to regulate and/or modulate cell proliferation.

The compounds described above may be prepared by any process known to be applicable to the preparation of chemically-related compounds. Suitable processes are illustrated by the following representative examples. Necessary starting materials may be obtained by standard procedures of organic chemistry.

An individual compound's relevant activity and efficiency as an agent to affect receptor tyrosine kinase mediated signal transduction may be determined using available techniques. Preferentially, a compound is subjected to a series of screens to determine the compound's ability to modulate, regulate and/or inhibit cell proliferation. These screens, in the order in which they are conducted, include biochemical assays, cell growth assays and in vivo experiments.

4.2. Indications

Cell proliferative disorders which can be treated or further studied by the present invention include cancers, blood vessel proliferative disorders, fibrotic disorders, and mesangial cell proliferative disorders.

Blood vessel proliferation disorders refer to angiogenic and vasculogenic disorders generally resulting in abnormal proliferation of blood vessels. The formation and spreading of blood vessels, or vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, respectively, play important roles in a variety of physiological processes such as embryonic development, corpus luteum formation, wound healing and organ regeneration. They also play a pivotal role in cancer development. Other examples of blood vessel proliferation disorders include arthritis, where new capillary blood vessels invade the joint and destroy cartilage, and ocular diseases, like diabetic retinopathy, where new capillaries in the retina invade the vitreous, bleed and cause blindness. Conversely, disorders related to the shrinkage, contraction or closing of blood vessels, such as restenosis, are also implicated.

Fibrotic disorders refer to the abnormal formation of extracellular matrix. Examples of fibrotic disorders include hepatic cirrhosis and mesangial cell proliferative disorders. Hepatic cirrhosis is characterized by the increase in extracellular matrix constituents resulting in the formation of a hepatic scar. Hepatic cirrhosis can cause diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver. An increased extracellular matrix resulting in a hepatic scar can also be caused by viral infection such as hepatitis. Lipocytes appear to play a major role in hepatic cirrhosis. Other fibrotic disorders implicated include atherosclerosis (see, below).

Mesangial cell proliferative disorders refer to disorders brought about by abnormal proliferation of mesangial cells. Mesangial proliferative disorders include various human renal diseases, such as glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, malignant nephrosclerosis, thrombotic microangiopathy syndromes, transplant rejection, and glomerulopathies. The PDGF-R has been implicated in the maintenance of mesangial cell proliferation. Floege et al., 1993, Kidney International 43:S47-S54.

The cell proliferative disorders which are indications of the present invention are not necessarily independent. For example, fibrotic disorders may be related to, or overlap, with blood vessel proliferative disorders. For example, atherosclerosis results, in part, in the abnormal formation of fibrous tissue within blood vessels.

PTKs have been associated with such cell proliferative disorders. For example, some members of the RTK family have been associated with the development of cancer. Some of these receptors, like the EGFR (Tuzi et al., 1991, Br. J. Cancer 63:227-233; Torp et al., 1992, APMIS 100:713-719) HER2/neu (Slamon et al., 1989, Science 244:707-712) and the PDGF-R (Kumabe et al., 1992, Oncogene 7:627-633) are overexpressed in many tumors and/or persistently activated by autocrine loops. In fact, in the most common and severe cancers these receptor overexpressions Akbasak and Sunar-Akbasak, 1992, J. Neurol. Sci. 111:119-133; Dickson et al., 1992, Cancer Treatment Res. 61:249-273; Korc et al., 1992, J. Clin. Invest. 90:1352-1360) and autocrine loops (Lee and Donoghue, 1992, J. Cell. Biol. 118:1057-1070; Korc et al., supra; Akbasak and Sunar-Akbasak, supra) have been demonstrated. For example, the EGFR receptor has been associated with squamous cell carcinoma, astrocytoma, glioblastoma, head and neck cancer, lung cancer and bladder cancer. HER2 has been associated with breast, ovarian, gastric, lung, pancreas and bladder cancer. The PDGF-R has been associated with glioblastoma, lung, cancer ovarian, cancer melanoma and prostate cancer. The RTK c-met has been generally associated with hepatocarcinogenesis and thus hepatocellular carcinoma. Additionally, c-met has been linked to malignant tumor formation. More specifically, the RTK c-met has been associated with, among other cancers, colorectal, thyroid, pancreatic and gastric carcinoma, leukemia and lymphoma. Additionally, over-expression of the c-met gene has been detected in patients with Hodgkins disease, Burkitts disease, and the lymphoma cell line.

The IGF-IR, in addition to being implicated in nutritional support and in type-II diabetes, has also been associated with several types of cancers. For example, IGF-I has been implicated as an autocrine growth stimulator for several tumor types, e.g. human breast cancer carcinoma cells (Arteaga et al., 1989, J. Clin. Invest. 84:1418-1423) and small lung tumor cells (Macauley et al., 1990, Cancer Res. 50:2511-2517). In addition, IGF-I, integrally involved in the normal growth and differentiation of the nervous system, appears to be an autocrine stimulator of human gliomas. Sandberg-Nordqvist et al., 1993, Cancer Res. 53:2475-2478. The importance of the IGF-IR and its ligands in cell proliferation is further supported by the fact that many cell types in culture (fibroblasts, epithelial cells, smooth muscle cells, T-lymphocytes, myeloid cells, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, the stem cells of the bone marrow) are stimulated to grow by IGF-I. Goldring and Goldring, 1991, Eukaryotic Gene Expression 1:301-326. In a series of recent publications, Baserga even suggests that IGF-I-R plays a central role in the mechanisms of transformation and, as such, could be a preferred target for therapeutic interventions for a broad spectrum of human malignancies. Baserga, 1995, Cancer Res. 55:249-252; Baserga, 1994, Cell 79:927-930; Coppola et al., 1994, Mol. Cell. Biol. 14:4588-4595.

The association between abnormalities in RTKs and disease are not restricted to cancer, however. For example, RTKs have been associated with metabolic diseases like psoriasis, diabetes mellitus, wound healing, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases. For example, the EGF-R is indicated in corneal and dermal wound healing Defects in the Insulin-R and the IGF-1R are indicated in type-II diabetes mellitus. A more complete correlation between specific RTKs and their therapeutic indications is set forth in Plowman et al., 1994, DN&P 7:334-339.

Not only receptor type tyrosine kinases, but also many cellular tyrosine kinases (CTKs) including src, abl, fps, yes, fyn, lyn, lck, blk, hck, fgr, yrk (reviewed by Bolen et al., 1992, FASES J. 6:3403-3409) are involved in the proliferative and metabolic signal transduction and thus in indications of the present invention. For example, mutated src (v-src) has been demonstrated as an oncoprotein (pp60^(v-src)) in chicken. Moreover, its cellular homolog, the proto-oncogene pp60^(c-src) transmits oncogenic signals of many receptors. For example, overexpression of EGF-R or HER2/neu in tumors leads to the constitutive activation of pp60^(c-src), which is characteristic for the malignant cell but absent from the normal cell. On the other hand, mice deficient for the expression of c-src exhibit an osteopetrotic phenotype, indicating a key participation of c-src in osteoclast function and a possible involvement in related disorders. Similarly, Zap 70 is implicated in T-cell signalling.

The identification of CTK modulating compounds to augment or even synergize with RTK aimed blockers is an aspect of the present invention.

Finally, both RTKs and non-receptor type kinases have been connected to hyperimmune disorders.

4.3. Pharmaceutical Formulations and Routes of Administration

The identified compounds can be administered to a human patient, by itself, or in pharmaceutical compositions where it is mixed with suitable carriers or excipient(s) at doses to treat or ameliorate a variety of disorders. A therapeutically effective dose further refers to that amount of the compound sufficient to result in amelioration of symptoms. Techniques for formulation and administration of the compounds of the instant application may be found in "Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences," Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., latest edition.

4.3.1. Routes of Administration

Suitable routes of administration may, for example, include oral, rectal, transmucosal, or intestinal administration; parenteral delivery, including intramuscular, subcutaneous, intramedullary injections, as well as intrathecal, direct intraventricular, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, or intraocular injections.

Alternately, one may administer the compound in a local rather than systemic manner, for example, via injection of the compound directly into a solid tumor, often in a depot or sustained release formulation.

Furthermore, one may administer the drug in a targeted drug delivery system, for example, in a liposome coated with tumor-specific antibody. The liposomes will be targeted to and taken up selectively by the tumor.

4.3.2. Composition/Formulation

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be manufactured in a manner that is itself known, e.g., by means of conventional mixing, dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, levigating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping or lyophilizing processes.

Pharmaceutical compositions for use in accordance with the present invention thus may be formulated in conventional manner using one or more physiologically acceptable carriers comprising excipients and auxiliaries which facilitate processing of the active compounds into preparations which can be used pharmaceutically. Proper formulation is dependent upon the route of administration chosen.

For injection, the agents of the invention may be formulated in aqueous solutions, preferably in physiologically compatible buffers such as Hanks's solution, Ringer's solution, or physiological saline buffer. For transmucosal administration, penetrants appropriate to the barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation. Such penetrants are generally known in the art.

For oral administration, the compounds can be formulated readily by combining the active compounds with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers well known in the art. Such carriers enable the compounds of the invention to be formulated as tablets, pills, dragees, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensions and the like, for oral ingestion by a patient to be treated. Pharmaceutical preparations for oral use can be obtained by combining the compounds with a solid excipient, optionally grinding a resulting mixture, and processing the mixture of granules, after adding suitable auxiliaries, if desired, to obtain tablets or dragee cores. Suitable excipients are, in particular, fillers such as sugars, including lactose, sucrose, mannitol, or sorbitol; cellulose preparations such as, for example, maize starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch, gelatin, gum tragacanth, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and/or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). If desired, disintegrating agents may be added, such as the cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, agar, or alginic acid or a salt thereof such as sodium alginate.

Dragee cores are provided with suitable coatings. For this purpose, concentrated sugar solutions may be used, which may optionally contain gum arabic, talc, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carbopol gel, polyethylene glycol, and/or titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions, and suitable organic solvents or solvent mixtures. Dyestuffs or pigments may be added to the tablets or dragee coatings for identification or to characterize different combinations of active compound doses.

Pharmaceutical preparations which can be used orally include push-fit capsules made of gelatin, as well as soft, sealed capsules made of gelatin and a plasticizer, such as glycerol or sorbitol. The push-fit capsules can contain the active ingredients in admixture with filler such as lactose, binders such as starches, and/or lubricants such as talc or magnesium stearate and, optionally, stabilizers. In soft capsules, the active compounds may be dissolved or suspended in suitable liquids, such as fatty oils, liquid paraffin, or liquid polyethylene glycols. In addition, stabilizers may be added. All formulations for oral administration should be in dosages suitable for such administration.

For buccal administration,the compositions may take the form of tablets or lozenges formulated in conventional manner.

For administration by inhalation, the compounds for use according to the present invention are conveniently delivered in the form of an aerosol spray presentation from pressurized packs or a nebuliser, with the use of a suitable propellant, e.g., dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide or other suitable gas. In the case of a pressurized aerosol the dosage unit may be determined by providing a valve to deliver a metered amount. Capsules and cartridges of e.g. gelatin for use in an inhaler or insufflator may be formulated containing a powder mix of the compound and a suitable powder base such as lactose or starch.

The compounds may be formulated for parenteral administration by injection, e.g., by bolus injection or continuous infusion. Formulations for injection may be presented in unit dosage form, e.g., in ampoules or in multi-dose containers, with an added preservative. The compositions may take such forms as suspensions, solutions or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and may contain formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents.

Pharmaceutical formulations for parenteral administration include aqueous solutions of the active compounds in water-soluble form. Additionally, suspensions of the active compounds may be prepared as appropriate oily injection suspensions. Suitable lipophilic solvents or vehicles include fatty oils such as sesame oil, or synthetic fatty acid esters, such as ethyl oleate or triglycerides, or liposomes. Aqueous injection suspensions may contain substances which increase the viscosity of the suspension, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sorbitol, or dextran. Optionally, the suspension may also contain suitable stabilizers or agents which increase the solubility of the compounds to allow for the preparation of highly concentrated solutions.

Alternatively, the active ingredient may be in powder form for constitution with a suitable vehicle, e.g., sterile pyrogen-free water, before use.

The compounds may also be formulated in rectal compositions such as suppositories or retention enemas, e.g., containing conventional suppository bases such as cocoa butter or other glycerides.

In addition to the formulations described previously, the compounds may also be formulated as a depot preparation. Such long acting formulations may be administered by implantation (for example subcutaneously or intramuscularly) or by intramuscular injection. Thus, for example, the compounds may be formulated with suitable polymeric or hydrophobic materials (for example as an emulsion in an acceptable oil) or ion exchange resins, or as sparingly soluble derivatives, for example, as a sparingly soluble salt.

A pharmaceutical carrier for the hydrophobic compounds of the invention is a cosolvent system comprising benzyl alcohol, a nonpolar surfactant, a water-miscible organic polymer, and an aqueous phase. The cosolvent system may be the VPD co-solvent system. VPD is a solution of 3% w/v benzyl alcohol, 8% w/v of the nonpolar surfactant polysorbate 80, and 65% w/v polyethylene glycol 300, made up to volume in absolute ethanol. The VPD co-solvent system (VPD:5W) consists of VPD diluted 1:1 with a 5% dextrose in water solution. This co-solvent system dissolves hydrophobic compounds well, and itself produces low toxicity upon systemic administration. Naturally, the proportions of a co-solvent system may be varied considerably without destroying its solubility and toxicity characteristics. Furthermore, the identity of the co-solvent components may be varied: for example, other low-toxicity nonpolar surfactants may be used instead of polysorbate 80; the fraction size of polyethylene glycol may be varied; other biocompatible polymers may replace polyethylene glycol, e.g. polyvinyl pyrrolidone; and other sugars or polysaccharides may substitute for dextrose.

Alternatively, other delivery systems for hydrophobic pharmaceutical compounds may be employed. Liposomes and emulsions are well known examples of delivery vehicles or carriers for hydrophobic drugs. Certain organic solvents such as dimethylsulfoxide also may be employed, although usually at the cost of greater toxicity. Additionally, the compounds may be delivered using a sustained-release system, such as semipermeable matrices of solid hydrophobic polymers containing the therapeutic agent. Various sustained-release materials have been established and are well known by those skilled in the art. Sustained-release capsules may, depending on their chemical nature, release the compounds for a few weeks up to over 100 days. Depending on the chemical nature and the biological stability of the therapeutic reagent, additional strategies for protein stabilization may be employed.

The pharmaceutical compositions also may comprise suitable solid or gel phase carriers or excipients. Examples of such carriers or excipients include but are not limited to calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, various sugars, starches, cellulose derivatives, gelatin, and polymers such as polyethylene glycols.

Many of the PTK modulating compounds of the invention may be provided as salts with pharmaceutically compatible counterions. Pharmaceutically compatible salts may be formed with many acids, including but not limited to hydrochloric, sulfuric, acetic, lactic, tartaric, malic, succinic, etc. Salts tend to be more soluble in aqueous or other protonic solvents that are the corresponding free base forms.

4.3.3. Effective Dosage

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for use in the present invention include compositions wherein the active ingredients are contained in an effective amount to achieve its intended purpose. More specifically, a therapeutically effective amount means an amount effective to prevent development of or to alleviate the existing symptoms of the subject being treated. Determination of the effective amounts is well within the capability of those skilled in the art, especially in light of the detailed disclosure provided herein.

For any compound used in the method of the invention, the therapeutically effective dose can be estimated initially from cell culture assays. For example, a dose can be formulated in animal models to achieve a circulating concentration range that includes the IC₅₀ as determined in cell culture (i.e., the concentration of the test compound which achieves a half-maximal inhibition of the PTK activity). Such information can be used to more accurately determine useful doses in humans.

A therapeutically effective dose refers to that amount of the compound that results in amelioration of symptoms or a prolongation of survival in a patient. Toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of such compounds can be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or experimental animals, e.g., for determining the LD₅₀ (the dose lethal to 50% of the population) and the ED₅₀ (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the population). The dose ratio between toxic and therapeutic effects is the therapeutic index and it can be expressed as the ratio between LD₅₀ and ED₅₀. Compounds which exhibit high therapeutic indices are preferred. The data obtained from these cell culture assays and animal studies can be used in formulating a range of dosage for use in human. The dosage of such compounds lies preferably within a range of circulating concentrations that include the ED₅₀ with little or no toxicity. The dosage may vary within this range depending upon the dosage form employed and the route of administration utilized. The exact formulation, route of administration and dosage can be chosen by the individual physician in view of the patient's condition. (See e.g. Fingl et al., 1975, in "The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics", Ch. 1 p1).

Dosage amount and interval may be adjusted individually to provide plasma levels of the active moiety which are sufficient to maintain the kinase modulating effects, or minimal effective concentration (MEC). The MEC will vary for each compound but can be estimated from in vitro data; e.g. the concentration necessary to achieve 50-90% inhibition of the kinase using the assays described herein. Dosages necessary to achieve the MEC will depend on individual characteristics and route of administration. However, HPLC assays or bioassays can be used to determine plasma concentrations.

Dosage intervals can also be determined using MEC value. Compounds should be administered using a regimen which maintains plasma levels above the MEC for 10-90% of the time, preferably between 30-90% and most preferably between 50-90%. In cases of local administration or selective uptake, the effective local concentration of the drug may not be related to plasma concentration.

The amount of composition administered will, of course, be dependent on the subject being treated, on the subject's weight, the severity of the affliction, the manner of administration and the judgment of the prescribing physician.

4.3.4. Packaging

The compositions may, if desired, be presented in a pack or dispenser device which may contain one or more unit dosage form containing the active ingredient. The pack may for example comprise metal or plastic foil, such as a blister pack. The pack or dispenser device may be accompanied by instructions for administration. Compositions comprising a compound of the invention formulated in a compatible pharmaceutical carrier may also be prepared, placed in an appropriate container, and labelled for treatment of an indicated condition. Suitable conditions indicated on the label may include treatment of a tumor, inhibition of angiogenesis, treatment of fibrosis, diabetes, and the like.

5. EXAMPLE COMPOUND SYNTHESIS

The compounds of the present invention may be synthesized according to known techniques. The following represent preferred methods for synthesizing the compounds of the claimed invention:

5.1. Synthesis Of 6,8-Dichloro-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 6,8-Dichloro-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: 4-Fluoro-β-nitrostyrene was prepared by condensation of 4-fluorobenzaldehyde and nitromethane in the presence of base (Henry reaction). 3,5-Dichloro-5-hydroxybenzaldehyde (0.382 g) and 4-fluoro-β-nitrostyrene (367 mg, 1.1 eq) were stirred in 3 ml of pyridine for 48 hours at room temperature. The reaction was partitioned in a mixture of ethyl acetate and 2N hydrochloric acid. The ethyl acetate layer was washed once with 2N hydrochloric acid, once with saturated sodium bicarbonate, once with brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to dryness. Chromatography of the residue on silica gel in methylene chloride and methanol gave 0.2 g of 6,8-dichloro-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran, a yellow solid.

5.2. Synthesis Of 2-(4-Fluorophenyl)-8-methoxy-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 2-(4-Fluorophenyl)-8-methoxy-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran (Compound A) is as follows: A mixture of 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (304 mg) and 4-fluoro-β-nitrostyrene (367 mg, 1.1 eq) was stirred in 3 ml of pyridine for 48 hours at room temperature as disclosed in section 5.1. The reaction was partitioned in a mixture of ethyl acetate and 2N hydrochloric acid. The ethyl acetate layer was washed once with 2N hydrochloric acid, once with saturated sodium bicarbonate, once with brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to dryness. Chromatography of the residue on silica gel in methylene chloride and methanol gave 0.2 g of 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-8-methoxy-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran, a yellow solid.

5.3. Synthesis Of 6-Chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 4-(3-chlorophenyl)-3-cyano-2-(pyrido-2-sulfonyl)thiophene is as follows: Reaction of 2-hydroxy-5-chlorobenzaldehyde (0.313 g) and 2,4-dichloro-β-nitrostyrene (0.480 g) in pyridine as described in section 5.1 gave 6-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran.

5.4. Synthesis Of 6-Chloro-2- 4-(methylmercapto)phenyl!-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 6-Chloro-2- 4-(methylmercapto)phenyl!-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 2-hydroxy-5-chlorobenzaldehyde and 4-methylmercapto-β-nitrostyrene as described in section 5.1 gave 6-chloro-2- 4-(methylmercapto)phenyl!-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran.

5.5. Synthesis Of 6-Chloro-2- 4(methylsulfonyl)phenyl!-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 6-Chloro-2- 4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl!-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 2-hydroxy-5-chlorobenzaldehyde and 4-methoxysulfonyl-β-nitrostyrene as described in section 5.1 gave 6-chloro-2- 4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl!-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran.

5.6. Synthesis Of 6-Chloro-3-nitro-2- 4-(phenoxy)phenyl!-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 6-Chloro-3-nitro-2- 4-(phenoxy)phenyl!-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 2-hydroxy-5-chlorobenzaldehyde and 4-phenoxy-β-nitrostyrene as described in section 5.1 gave 6-chloro-3-nitro-2- 4-(phenoxy)phenyl!-1,2-benzopyran.

5.7. Synthesis Of 2-(4-isopropylphenyl)-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 2-(4-isopropylphenyl)-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 4-isopropyl-β-nitrostyrene as described in section 5.1 gave 2-(4-isopropylphenyl)-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran

5.8. Synthesis Of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-nitro- 6,7!benzo-1,2-benzopyran.

The preferred method for synthesizing 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-nitro- 6,7!benzo-1,2-benzopyran: Reaction of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde and 4-chloro-β-nitrostyrene as described in section 5.1 gave 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-nitro- 6,7!benzo-1,2-benzopyran.

5.9. Synthesis Of 3-Nitro-2-(thien-2-yl)-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 3-Nitro-2-(thien-2-yl)-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 1-nitro-2-(thien-2-yl)ethene as described in section 5.1 gave 3-nitro-2-(thien-2-yl)-1,2-benzopyran.

5.10. Synthesis Of 2-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 2-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 2-methoxy-β-nitrostyrene as described section 5.1 gave 2-(2-methoxyphenyl)-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran.

5.11. Synthesis Of 5-Bromo-2-(2-methoxyphenyl)-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 5-Bromo-2-(2-methoxyphenyl)-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 4-bromo-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 2-methoxy-β-nitrostyrene as described in section 5.1 gave 6-bromo-2-(2-methoxyphenyl)-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran.

5.12. Synthesis Of 2-(Benzofuran-2-yl)-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 2-(Benzofuran-2-yl)-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 1-(benzofuran-2-yl)-2-nitroethene as described in section 5.1 gave 2-(benzofuran-2-yl)-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran.

5.13. Synthesis Of 6-Chloro-2-(2-cyanophenyl)-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 6-Chloro-2-(2-cyanophenyl)-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 2-hydroxy-5-chlorobenzaldehyde and 4-cyano-β-nitrostyrene as in described 5.1 gave 6-chloro-2-(2-cyanophenyl)-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran.

5.14. Synthesis Of 8-Methoxy-3-nitro-2-(2-nitrothien-4-yl)-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 8-Methoxy-3-nitro-2-(2-nitrothien-4-yl)-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde and 1-nitro-2-(2-nitrothien-4-yl)ethene as described in section 5.1 gave 8-methoxy-3-nitro-2-(2-nitrothien-4-yl)-1,2-benzopyran.

5.15. Synthesis Of 2-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-8-methoxy-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 2-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-8-methoxy-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-β-nitrostyrene as described in section 5.1 gave 2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-8-methoxy-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran.

5.16. Synthesis Of 8-Methoxy-3-nitro-2-(1-phenylpyrazol-3-yl)-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 8-Methoxy-3-nitro-2-(1-phenylpyrazol-3-yl)-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde and 1-nitro-2-(1-phenylpyrazole-3-yl)ethene as described in section 5.1 gave 8-methoxy-3-nitro-2-(1-phenylpyrazol-3-yl)-1,2-benzopyran.

5.17. Synthesis Of 8-Methoxy-3-nitro-2-(1-methylpyrazol-3-yl)-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 8-Methoxy-3-nitro-2-(1-methylpyrazol-3-yl)-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde and 1-nitro-2-(1-methylpyrazole-3-yl)ethene as described in section 5.1 gave 8-methoxy-3-nitro-2-(1-methylpyrazol-3-yl)-1,2-benzopyran.

5.18. Synthesis Of 2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxyphenyl)-8-methoxy-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxyphenyl)-8-methoxy-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde and 5-bromo-2-methoxy-β-nitrostyrene as described in section 5.1 gave 2-(5-bromo-2-methoxyphenyl)-8-methoxy-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran.

5.19. Synthesis Of 2-(4-Cyanophenyl)-8-methoxy-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 2-(4-Cyanophenyl)-8-methoxy-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde and 4-cyano-β-nitrostyrene as in described in section 5.1 gave 2-(4-cyanophenyl)-8-methoxy-3-nitro-1,2-benzopyran.

5.20. Synthesis Of 8-Methoxy-3-nitro-2-(thien-3-yl)-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 8-Methoxy-3-nitro-2-(thien-3-yl)-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde and 1-nitro-2-(thien-3-yl)ethene as described in section 5.1 gave 8-methoxy-3-nitro-2-(thien-3-yl)-1,2-benzopyran.

5.21. Synthesis Of 8-Methoxy-3-nitro-2- 3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl!-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 8-Methoxy-3-nitro-2- 3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl!-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde and 3-trifluoromethyl-β-nitrostyrene as described in section 5.1 gave 8-methoxy-3-nitro-2- 3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl!-1,2-benzopyran.

5.22. Synthesis Of 8-Methoxy-3-nitro-2-(thien-2-yl)-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 8-Methoxy-3-nitro-2-(thien-2-yl)-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde and 1-nitro-2-(thien-2-yl)ethene as described in section 5.1 gave 8-methoxy-3-nitro-2-(thien-2-yl)-1,2-benzopyran.

5.23. Synthesis Of 6,8-Dichloro-3-nitro-2- 2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl!-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 6,8-Dichloro-3-nitro-2- 2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl!-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-β-nitrostyrene as described in section 5.1 gave 6,8-dichloro-3-nitro-2- 2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl!-1,2-benzopyran.

5.24. Synthesis Of 6,8-Dichloro-3-nitro-2-(4-chloro-1-methylpyrazol-3-yl)-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 6,8-Dichloro-3-nitro-2-(4-chloro-1-methylpyrazol-3-yl)-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 1-(4-chloro-1-methylpyrazol-3-yl)-2-nitroethene as described in section 5.1 gave 6,8-dichloro-3-nitro-2-(4-chloro-1-methylpyrazol-3-yl)-1,2-benzopyran.

5.25. Synthesis Of 6,8-Dichloro-3-nitro-2-(3-bromothien-5-yl)-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 6,8-Dichloro-3-nitro-2-(3-bromothien-5-yl)-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 1-(3-bromothien-5-yl)-2-nitroethene as described in section 5.1 gave 6,8-dichloro-3-nitro-2-(3-bromothien-5-yl)-1,2-benzopyran.

5.26. Synthesis Of 6,8-Dichloro-3-nitro-2- 2,5-dimethoxyphenyl!-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 6,8-Dichloro-3-nitro-2- 2,5-dimethoxyphenyl!-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 2,5-dimethoxy-β-nitrostyrene as described in section 5.1 gave 6,8-dichloro-3-nitro-2- 2,5-dimethoxyphenyl!-1,2-benzopyran.

5.27. Synthesis Of 6,8-Dichloro-3-nitro-2-(4-t-butylphenyl)-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 6,8-Dichloro-3-nitro-2-(4-t-butylphenyl)-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 4-t-butyl-β-nitrostyrene as described in section 5.1 gave 6,8-dichloro-3-nitro-2-(4-t-butylphenyl)-1,2-benzopyran.

5.28. Synthesis Of 6,8-Dichloro-3-nitro-2-(4-acetamidophenyl)-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 6,8-Dichloro-3-nitro-2-(4-acetamidophenyl)-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 4-acetamido-β-nitrostyrene as in Example 1 gave 6,8-dichloro-3-nitro-2-(4-acetamidophenyl)-1,2-benzopyran.

5.29. Synthesis Of 6,8-Dichloro-3-nitro-2-(dioxolo 4,5-c!phenyl)-1,2-benzopyran

The preferred method for synthesizing 6,8-Dichloro-3-nitro-2-(dioxolo 4,5-c!phenyl)-1,2-benzopyran is as follows: Reaction of 3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 1-(dioxolo 4,5-c!phenyl)-2-nitroethene as described in section 5.1 gave 6,8dichloro-3-nitro-2-(dioxolo 4,5-c!phenyl)-1,2benzopyran.

6. EXAMPLES RTK Assays

The following assays and animal models may be used to determine the level of activity and effect of the different compounds of the present invention on one or more of the RTKs. Similar assays can be designed along the same lines for any tyrosine kinase using techniques well known in the art.

6.1. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) may be used to detect and measure the presence of tyrosine kinase activity. The ELISA may be conducted according to known protocols which are described in, for example, Voller, et al., 1980, "Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay," In: Manual of Clinical Inmunology, 2d ed., edited by Rose and Friedman, pp 359-371 Am. Soc. Of Microbiology, Washington, D.C.

The disclosed protocol may be adapted for determining activity with respect to a specific RTK. As example, the preferred protocols for conducting the ELISA experiments for specific RTKs is provided below. Adaptation of these protocols for determining a compound's activity for other members of the RTK family, as well as non-receptor tyrosine kinases, are within the scope of those in the art.

6.1.1. FLK-1 ELISA

An ELISA assay was conducted to measure the kinase activity of the FLK-1 receptor and more specifically, the inhibition or activation of protein tyrosine kinase activity on the FLK-1 receptor. Specifically, the following assay was conducted to measure kinase activity of the FLK-1 receptor in FLK-1/NIH3T3 cells.

Materials And Methods

Materials. The following reagents and supplies were used:

a. Corning 96-well ELISA plates (Corning Catalog No. 25805-96);

b. Cappel goat anti-rabbit IgG (catalog no. 55641);

c. PBS (Gibco Catalog No. 450-1300EB);

d. TBSW Buffer (50 Mm Tris (Ph 7.2), 150 Mm NaCl and 0.1% Tween-20);

e. Ethanolamine stock (10% ethanolamine (Ph 7.0), stored at 4° C.);

f. HNTG buffer (20mM HEPES buffer (Ph 7.5), 150 mM NaCl, 0.2% Triton X-100, and 10% glycerol);

g. EDTA (0.5M (Ph 7.0) as a 100× stock);

h. Sodium ortho vanadate (0.5M as a 100× stock);

i. Sodium pyro phosphate (0.2M as a 100×stock);

j. NUNC 96 well V bottom polypropylene plates (Applied Scientific Catalog No. AS-72092);

k. NIH3T3 C7#3 Cells (FLK-1 expressing cells);

l. 1. DMEM with 1× high glucose L Glutamine (catalog No. 11965-050);

m. FBS, Gibco (catalog no. 16000-028);

n. L-glutamine, Gibco (catalog no. 25030-016);

o. VEGF, PeproTech, Inc. (catalog no. 100-20) (kept as 1 μg/100 μl stock in Milli-Q dH₂ O and stored at -20° C.;

p. Affinity purified anti-FLK-1 antiserum, Enzymology Lab, Sugen, Inc.;

q. UB40 monoclonal antibody specific for phosphotyrosine, Enzymology Lab, Sugen, Inc. (see, Fendly, et al., 1990, Cancer Research 50:1550-1558);

r. EIA grade Goat anti-mouse IgG-POD (BioRad catalog no. 172-1011);

s. 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) solution (100 mM citric acid (anhydrous), 250 Mm Na₂ HPO₄ (Ph 4.0), 0.5 mg/ml ABTS (Sigma catalog no. A-1888)), solution should be stored in dark at 4° C. until ready for use;

t. H₂ O₂ (30% solution) (Fisher catalog no. H325)

u. ABTS/H₂ O₂ (15ml ABTS solution, 2 μl H₂ O₂) prepared 5 minutes before use and left at room temperature;

v. 0.2M Hcl stock in H₂ O;

w. dimethylsulfoxide (100%)(Sigma Catalog No. D-8418); and

y. Trypsin-EDTA (Gibco BRL Catalog No. 25200-049).

Protocol. The following protocol was used for conducting the assay:

1. Coat Corning 96-well elisa plates with 1.0 μg per well Cappel Anti-rabbit IgG antibody in 0.1M Na₂ CO₃ pH 9.6. Bring final volume to 150 μl per well. Coat plates overnight at 4° C. Plates can be kept up to two weeks when stored at 4° C.

2. Grow cells in Growth media(DMEM, supplemental with 2.0 mM L-Glutamine, 10% FBS) in suitable culture dishes until confluent at 37° C., 5% CO₂.

3. Harvest cells by tyrpsination and seed in Corning 25850 polystyrene 96-well roundbottom cell plates, 25.000 cells/well in 200 μl of growth media.

4. Grow cells at least one day at 37° C., 5% CO₂.

5. Wash cells with D-PBS 1×.

6. Add 200 μl/well of starvation media (DMEM, 2.0 mM 1-Glutamine, 0.1% FBS). Incubate overnight at 37° C., 5% CO₂.

7. Dilute Compounds/Extracts 1:20 in polypropylene 96 well plates using starvation media. Dilute dimethylsulfoxide 1:20 for use in control wells.

B . Remove starvation media from 96 well cell culture plates and add 162 μl of fresh starvation media to each well.

9. Add 18 μl of 1:20 diluted Compound/Extract dilution (from step 7) to each well plus the 1:20 dimethylsulfoxide dilution to the control wells (±VEGF), for a final dilution of 1:200 after cell stimulation. Final dimethylsulfoxide is 0.5%. Incubate the plate at 37° C., 5% CO₂ for two hours.

10. Remove unbound antibody from ELISA plates by inverting plate to remove liquid. Wash 3 times with TESW+0.5% ethanolamine, pH 7.0. Pat the plate on a paper towel to remove excess liquid and bubbles.

11. Block plates with TBSW+0.5% Ethanolamine, pH 7.0, 150 μl per well. Incubate plate thirty minutes while shaking on a microtiter plate shaker.

12. Wash plate 3 times as described in step 10.

13. Add 0.5 μg/well affinity purified anti-FLU-1 polyclonal rabbit antiserum. Bring final volume to 150 μl l/well with TBSW+0.5% ethanolamine pH 7.0. Incubate plate for thirty minutes while shaking.

14. Add 180 μl starvation medium to the cells and stimulate cells with 20 μl/well 10.0 mM sodium ortho vanadate and 500 ng/ml VEGF (resulting in a final concentration of 1.0 mM sodium ortho vanadate and 50 ng/ml VEGF per well) for eight minutes at 37° C., 5% CO₂. Negative control wells receive only starvation medium.

15. After eight minutes, media should be removed from the cells and washed one time with 200 μl/well PBS.

16. Lyse cells in 150 μl/well HNTG while shaking at room temperature for five minutes. HNTG formulation includes sodium ortho vanadate, sodium pyro phosphate and EDTA.

17. Wash ELISA plate three times as described in step 10.

18. Transfer cell lysates from the cell plate to elisa plate and incubate while shaking for two hours. To transfer cell lysate pipette up and down while scrapping the wells.

19. Wash plate three times as described in step 10.

20. Incubate ELISA plate with 0.02 μg/well UB40 in TBSW+05% ethanolamine. Bring final volume to 150 μl/well. Incubate while shaking for 30 minutes.

21. Wash plate three times as described in step 10.

22. Incubate ELISA plate with 1:10,000 diluted EIA grade goat anti-mouse IgG conjugated horseradish peroxidase in TBSW+0.5% ethanolamine, pH 7.0. Bring final volume to 150 μl/well. Incubate while shaking for thirty minutes.

23. Wash plate as described in step 10.

24. Add 100 μl of ABTS/H₂ O₂ solution to well. Incubate ten minutes while shaking. 25. Add 100 μl of 0.2M HCl for 0.1M HCl final to stop the colordevelopment reaction. Shake 1 minute at room temperature. Remove bubbles with slow stream of air and read the ELISA plate in an ELISA plate reader at 410 nm.

6.1.2. HER-2 ELISA

Assay 1: EGF Receptor-HER2 Chimeric Receptor Assay In Whole Cells. HER2 kinase activity in whole EGFR-NIH3T3 cells was measured as described below:

Materials and Reagents. The following materials and reagents were used to conduct the assay:

a. EGF: stock concentration=16.5 ILM; EGF 201, TOYOBO, Co., Ltd. Japan.

b. 05-101 (UBI) (a monoclonal antibody recognizing an EGFR extracellular domain).

c. Anti-phosphotyrosine antibody (anti-Ptyr) (polyclonal) (see, Fendly, et al., supra).

d. Detection antibody: Goat anti-rabbit lgG horseradish peroxidase conjugate, TAGO, Inc., Burlingame, Calif.

e. TEST buffer:

Tris-HCl, pH 7.2 50 mM

NaCl 150 mM

Triton X-100 0.1

f. HNTG 5× stock:

HEPES 0.1M

NaCl 0.75M

Glycerol 50%

Triton X-100 1.0%

g. ARTS stock:

Citric Acid 100 mM

Na₂ HPO₄ 250 mM

HCl, conc. 0.5 pM

ABTS* 0.5 mg/ml

h. Stock reagents of:

EDTA 100 mM pH 7.0

Na₃ VO₄ 0.05M

Na₄ (P₂ O₇) 0.2M

Procedure. The following protocol was used:

A. Pre-coat ELISA Plate

1. Coat ELISA plates (Corning, 96 well, Cat. #25805-96) with 05-101 antibody at 0.5 g per well in PBS, 100 μl final volume/well, and store overnight at 4° C. Coated plates are good for up to 10 days when stored at 4° C.

2. On day of use, remove coating buffer and replace with 100 μl blocking buffer (5% Carnation Instant Non-Fat Dry Milk in PBS). Incubate the plate, shaking, at room temperature (about 23° C. to 25° C.) for 30 minutes. Just prior to use, remove blocking buffer and wash plate 4 times with TEST buffer.

B. Seeding Cells

1. An NIH3T3 cell line overexpressing a chimeric receptor containing the EGFR extracellular domain and extracellular HER2 kinase domain can be used for this assay.

2. Choose dishes having 80-90% confluence for the experiment. Trypsinize cells and stop reaction by adding 10% fetal bovine serum. Suspend cells in DMEM medium (10% CS DMEM medium) and centrifuge once at 1500 rpm, at room temperature for 5 minutes.

3. Resuspend cells in seeding medium (DMEM, 0.5% bovine serum) , and count the cells using trypan blue. Viability above 90% is acceptable. Seed cells in DMEM medium (0.5% bovine serum) at a density of 10,000 cells per well, 100 μl per well, in a 96 well microtiter plate. Incubate seeded cells in 5% CO₂ at 37° C. for about 40 hours.

C. Assay Procedures

1. Check seeded cells for contamination using an inverted microscope. Dilute drug stock (10 mg/mL in DMSO) 1:10 in DMEM medium, then transfer 5 to a TBST well for a final drug dilution of 1:200 and a final DMSO concentration of 1%. Control wells receive DMSO alone. Incubate in 5% CO₂ at 37° C. for two hours.

2. Prepare EGF ligand: dilute stock EGF in DMEM so that upon transfer of 10 μl dilute EGF (1:12 dilution), 100 μnM final concentration is attained.

3. Prepare fresh HNTG* sufficient for 100 μl per well; and place on ice.

HNTG* (10 ml):

HNTG stock 2.0 ml

milli-Q H₂ O 7.3 ml

EDTA, 100 mM, pH 7.0 0.5 ml

Na₃ VO₄, 0.5M 0.1 ml

Na₄ (P₂ O₇), 0.2M 0.1 ml

4. After 120 minutes incubation with drug, add prepared SGF ligand to cells, 10 μl per well, to a final concentration of 100 nM. Control wells receive DMEM alone. Incubate, shaking, at room temperature, for 5 minutes.

5. Remove drug, EGF, and DMEM. Wash cells twice with PBS. Transfer HNTG* to cells, 100 μl per well. Place on ice for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, remove blocking buffer from other ELISA plate and wash with TBST as described above.

6. With a pipette tip securely fitted to a micropipettor, scrape cells from plate and homogenize cell material by repeatedly aspirating and dispensing the HNTG* lysis buffer. Transfer lysate to a coated, blocked, and washed ELISA plate. Incubate shaking at room temperature for one hour.

7. Remove lysate and wash 4 times with TEST. Transfer freshly diluted anti-Ptyr antibody to ELISA plate at 100 μl per well Incubate shaking at room temperature for 30 minutes in the presence of the anti-Ptyr antiserum (1:3000 dilution in TBST).

8. Remove the anti-Ptyr antibody and wash 4 times with TBST. Transfer the freshly diluted TAGO anti-rabbit IgG antibody to the ELISA plate at 100 μl per well. Incubate shaking at room temperature for 30 minutes (anti-rabbit IgG antibody: 1:3000 dilution in TEST).

9. Remove TAGO detection antibody and wash 4 times with TEST. Transfer freshly prepared AETS/H₂ O₂ solution to ELISA plate, 100 μl per well. Incubate shaking at room temperature for 20 minutes. (ABTS/H₂ O₂ solution: 1.0 μl 30% H₂ O₂ in 10 ml ABTS stock).

10. Stop reaction by adding 50 μl 5N H₂ SO₄ (optional), and determine O.D. at 410 nm.

11. The maximal phosphotyrosine signal is determined by subtracting the value of the negative controls from the positive controls. The percent inhibition of phosphotyrosine content for extract-containing wells is then calculated, after subtraction of the negative controls.

Assay 2: HER-2-BT474 ELISA. A second assay may be conducted to measure whole cell HER2 activity. Such assay may be conducted as follows:

Materials And Reagents. The following materials and reagents were used:

a. BT-474 (ATCC HBT20), a human breast tumor cell line which expresses high levels of HER2 kinase.

b. Growth media comprising RPMI+10% FBS+GMS-G (Gibco supplement)+glutamine for use in growing BT-474 in an incubator with 5% CO₂ at 37° C.

c. A monoclonal anti-HER2 antibody.

d. D-PBS:

KH₂ HPO₄ 0.20 g/l 10 (GIBCO,310-4190AJ)

K₂ HPO₄ 2.16 g/l

KCl 0.20 g/l

NaCl 8.00 g/l (pH 7.2)

e. Blockina Buffer: TBST plus 5% Milk (Carnation Instant Non-Fat Dry Milk).

f. TBST buffer:

Tris-HCl 50 mM

NaCl 150 mM (pH 7.2, HCl 10N)

Triton X-100 0.1%

wherein stock solution of TES (10×) is prepared, and Triton X-100 is added to the buffer during dilution.

g. HNTG buffer (5×):

HEPES 0.1M

NaCl 750 mM (pH 7.2 (HCl, 1N)

Glycerol 50%

Triton X-100 1.0%

Stock solution (5×) is prepared and kept in 4° C.

h. EDTA-HCl: 0.5M pH 7.0 (10N HCl) as 500× stock.

i. Na₃ VO₄ : 0.5M as 100× stock is kept at -80° C. as aliquots.

j. Na₄ (P₂ O₇) : 0.2M as 100× stock.

k. Polyclonal antiserum anti-phosphotyrosine.

l. Goat anti-rabbit IgG, horseradish peroxidase (POD) conjugate (detection antibody), Tago (Cat. No. 4520; Lot No. 1802): Tago, Inc., Burlingame, Calif.

m. ABTS solution:

Citric acid 100 mM

Na₂ HPO₄ 250 mM (pH 4.0, 1N HCl)

ABTS 0.5 mg/ml

wherein ABTS is 2.2'-azinobis(3- ethylbenzthiazoline sulfonic acid). For this assay, the ABTS solution should be kept in the dark at 4° C. The solution should be discarded when it turns green.

n. Hydrogen peroxide: 30% solution is kept in dark and 4° C.

Procedure. All the following steps are at room temperature and aseptically, unless stated otherwise. All ELISA plate washing is by rinsing with distilled water three times and once with TBST.

A. Cell Seeding

1. Grow BT474 cells in tissue culture dishes (Corning 25020-100) to 80-90% confluence and collect using Trypsin-EDTA (0.25%, GIBCO).

2. Resuspend the cells in fresh medium and transfer to 96-well tissue culture plates (Corning, 25806-96) at about 25,000-50,000 cells/well (100 μl/well) . Incubate the cells in 5% CO₂ at 37° C. overnight.

B. ELISA Plate Coating and Blocking

1. Coat the ELISA plate (Corning 25805-96) with anti HER2 antibody at 0.5 μg/well in 150 μl PBS overnight at 4° C., and seal with parafilm. The antibody coated plates can be used up to 2 weeks, when stored at 4° C.

2. On the day of use, remove the coating solution, replace with 200 μl of Blocking Buffer, shake the plate, and then remove the blocking buffer and wash the plate just before adding lysate.

C. Assay Procedures

1. TBST the drugs in serum-free condition. Before adding drugs, the old media is replaced with serum-free RPMI (90 μl/well)

2. Dilute drug stock (in 100% DMSO) 1:10 with RPMI, and transfer 10 μl/well of this solution to the cells to achieve a final drug DMSO concentration at 1%. Incubate the cells in 5% CO₂ at 37° C.

3. Prepare fresh cell lysis buffer (HNTG*)

5×HNTG 2 ml

EDTA 0.2 ml

Na₃ VO₄ 0.1 ml

Na₄ P₂ O₇ 0.1 ml

H₂ O 0 7.3 ml

4. After drug preincubation for two hours remove all the solution from the plate, transfer HNTG* (100 μl/well) to the cells, and shake for 10 minutes.

5. Use a 12-channel pipette to scrape the cells from the plate, and homogenize the lysate by repeat aspiration and dispensing. Transfer all the lysate to the ELISA Plate and shake for 1 hour.

6. Remove the lysate, wash the plate, add anti-pTyr (1:3,000 with TBST) 100 μl/well, and shake for 30 minutes.

7. Remove anti-pTyr, wash the plate, add goat anti-rabbit IgG conjugated antibody (1:5,000 with TBST) 100 μl/well, and shake for 30 minutes.

8. Remove anti-rabbit IgG antibody, wash the plate, and add fresh ABTS/H₂ O₂ (1.2 μl H₂ O₂ to 10 ml ABTS) 100 l/well to the plate to start color development, which usually takes 20 minutes.

9. Measure OD 410 nM, Dynatec MR5000.

6.1.3. PDGF-R ELISA

All cell culture media, glutamine, and fetal bovine serum were purchased from Gibco Life Technologies (Grand Island, N.Y.) unless otherwise specified. All cells were grown in a humid atmosphere of 90-95% air and 5-10% CO₂ at 37° C. All cell lines were routinely subcultured twice a week and were negative for mycoplasma as determined by the Mycotect method (Gibco).

For ELISA assays, cells (U1242, obtained from Joseph Schlessinger, NYU) were grown to 80-90% confluency in growth medium (MEM with 10% FES, NEAA, 1 mM NaPyr and 2 mM GLN) and seeded in 96-well tissue culture plates in 0.5% serum at 25,000 to 30,000 cells per well. After overnight incubation in 0.5% serum-containing medium, cells were changed to serum-free medium and treated with test compound for 2 hr in a 5% CO₂, 37° C. incubator. Cells were then stimulated with ligand for 5-10 minute followed by lysis with HNTG (20 mM Hepes, 150 mM NaCl, 10% glycerol, 5 mM EDTA, 5 mM Na₃ VO₄, 0.2% Triton X-100, and 2 mM NaPyr). Cell lysates (0.5 mg/well in PBS) were transferred to ELISA plates previously coated with receptor-specific antibody and which had been blocked with 5% milk in TEST (50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.2, 150 mM NaCl and 0.1% Triton X-100) at room temperature for 30 min. Lysates were incubated with shaking for 1 hour at room temperature. The plates were washed with TBST four times and then incubated with polyclonal anti-phosphotyrosine antibody at room temperature for 30 minutes. Excess anti-phosphotyrosine antibody was removed by rinsing the plate with TEST four times. Goat anti-rabbit IgG antibody was added to the ELISA plate for 30 min at room temperature followed by rinsing with TEST four more times. AETS (100 mM citric acid, 250 mM Na₂ HPO₄ and 0.5 mg/mL 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) plus H₂ O₂ (1.2 mL 30% H₂ O₂ to 10 ml ABTS) was added to the ELISA plates to start color development. Absorbance at 410 nm with a reference wavelength of 630 nm was recorded about 15 to 30 min after ABTS addition.

6.1.4. IGF-I ELISA

The following protocol may be used to measure phosphotyrosine level on IGF-I receptor, which indicates IGF-I receptor tyrosine kinase activity.

Materials And Reagents. The following materials and reagents were used:

a. The cell line used in this assay is 3T3/IGF-1R, a cell line which overexpresses IGF-1 receptor.

b. NIH3T3/IGF-1R is grown in an incubator with 5% CO₂ at 37° C. The growth media is DMEM+10% FBS (heat inactivated)+2 mM L-glutamine.

c. Anti-IGF-1R antibody named 17-69 is used. Antibodies are purified by the Enzymology Lab, SUGEN, Inc.

d. D-PBS:

KH₂ PO₄ 0.20 g/l

K₂ HPO₄ 2.16 g/l

KCl 0.20 g/l

NaCl 8.00 g/l (pH 7.2)

e. Blocking Buffer: TBST plus 5% Milk (Carnation Instant Non-Fat Dry Milk).

f. TBST buffer:

Tris-HCl 50 mM

NaCl 150 mM (pH 7.2/HCl 10N)

Triton X-100 0.1%

Stock solution of TBS (10×) is prepared, and Triton X-100 is added to the buffer during dilution.

g. HNTG buffer:

HEPES 20 mM

NaCl 150 mM (pH 7.2/HCl 1N)

Glycerol 10%

Triton X-100 0.2%

Stock solution (5×) is prepared and kept at 4° C.

h. EDTA/HCl: 0.5M pH 7.0 (NaOH) as 100× stock.

i. Na₃ VO₄ : 0.5M as 100× stock and aliquots are kept in -80° C.

j. Na₄ P₂ O₇ : 0.2M as 100× stock.

k. Insulin-like growth factor-1 from Promega (Cat# G5111).

l. Polyclonal antiserum anti-phosphotyrosine: rabbit sera generated by Enzymology Lab., SUGEN Inc.

m. Goat anti-rabbit IgG, POD conjugate (detection antibody), Tago (Cat. No. 4520, Lot No. 1802): Tago, Inc., Burlingame, Calif.

n. ABTS (2.2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazolinesulfonic acid)) solution:

Citric acid 100 mM

Na2HPO₄ 250 mM (pH 4.0/1N HCl)

ABTS 0.5 mg/ml

ABTS solution should be kept in dark and 4° C. The solution should be discarded when it turns green.

o. Hydrogen Peroxide: 30% solution is kept in the dark and at 4° C.

Procedure. All the following steps are conducted at room temperature unless it is specifically indicated. All ELISA plate washings are performed by rinsing the plate with tap water three times, followed by one TBST rinse. Pat plate dry with paper towels.

A. Cell Seeding

1. The cells, grown in tissue culture dish (Corning 25020-100) to 80-90% confluence, are harvested with Trypsin-EDTA (0.256, 0.5 ml/D-100, GIBCO).

2. Resuspend the cells in fresh DMEM+10% FBS+2 mM L-Glutamine, and transfer to 96-well tissue culture plate (Corning, 25806-96) at 20,000 cells/well (100 μl/well). Incubate for 1 day then replace medium to serum-free medium (90/μl) and incubate in 5% CO₂ and 37° C. overnight.

B. ELISA Plate Coating and Blocking

1. Coat the ELISA plate (Corning 25805-96) with Anti-IGF-1R Antibody at 0.5 μg/well in 100 μl PBS at least 2 hours.

2. Remove the coating solution, and replace with 100 μl Blocking Buffer, and shake for 30 minutes. Remove the blocking buffer and wash the plate just before adding lysate.

C. Assay Procedures

1. The drugs are tested in serum-free condition.

2. Dilute drug stock (in 100% DMSO) 1:10 with DMEM in 96-well poly-propylene plate, and transfer 10 μl/well of this solution to the cells to achieve final drug dilution 1:100, and final DMSO concentration of 1.0%. Incubate the cells in 5% CO₂ at 37° C. for 2 hours.

3. Prepare fresh cell lysis buffer (HNTG*)

HNTG 2 ml

EDTA 0.1 ml

Na₃ VO₄ 0.1 ml

Na₄ (P₂ O₇) 0.1 ml

H₂ O 7.3 ml

4. After drug incubation for two hours, transfer 10 μl/well of 200 nM IGF-1 Ligand in PBS to the cells (Final Conc.=20 nM), and incubate at 5% CO₂ at 37°C. for 10 minutes.

5. Remove media and add 100 μl/well HNTG* and shake for 10 minutes. Look at cells under microscope to see if they are adequately lysed.

6. Use a 12-channel pipette to scrape the cells from the plate, and homogenize the lysate by repeat aspiration and dispense. Transfer all the lysate to the antibody coated ELISA plate, and shake for 1 hour.

7. Remove the lysate, wash the plate, transfer anti-pTyr (1:3,000 with TBST) 100 μl/well, and shake for 30 minutes.

8. Remove anti-pTyr, wash the plate, transfer Tago (1:3,000 with TBST) 100 μl/well, and shake for 30 minutes.

9. Remove detection antibody, wash the plate, and transfer fresh ABTS/H202 (1.2 μl H₂ O₂ to 10 ml ABTS) 100 μl/well to the plate to start color development.

10. Measure OD in Dynatec MR5000, which is connected to Ingres.

6.1.5. EGF Receptor ELISA

EGF Receptor kinase activity (EGFR-NIH3T3 assay) in whole cells was measured as described below:

Materials and Reagents. The following materials and reagents were used

a. EGF Ligand: stock concentration=16.5 μM; EGF 201, TOYOBO, Co., Ltd. Japan.

b. 05-101 (UBI) (a monoclonal antibody recognizing an EGFR extracellular domain).

c. Anti-phosphotyrosine antibody (anti-Ptyr) (polyclonal).

d. Detection antibody: Goat anti-rabbit lgG horse radish peroxidase conjugate, TAGO, Inc., Burlingame, Calif.

e. TEST buffer:

Tris-HCl, pH 7 50 mM

NaCl 150 mM

Triton X-100 0.1

f. HNTG 5× stock:

HEPES 0.1M

NaCl 0.75M

Glycerol 50

Triton X-100 1.0%

g. ABTS stock:

Citric Acid 100 mM

Na₂ HPO₄ 250 mM

HCl, conc. 4.0 pH

AETS* 0.5 mg/ml

Keep solution in dark at 4° C. until used.

h. Stock reagents of:

EDTA 100 mM pH 7.0

Na₃ VO₄ 0.5M

Na₄ (P₂ O₇) 0.2M

Procedure. The following protocol was used:

A. Pre-coat ELISA Plate

1. Coat ELISA plates (Corning, 96 well, Cat. #25805-96) with 05-101 antibody at 0.5 μg per well in PBS, 150 μl final volume/well, and store overnight at 4° C. Coated plates are good for up to 10 days when stored at 4° C.

2. On day of use, remove coating buffer and replace with blocking buffer (5% Carnation Instant NonFat Dry Milk in PBS). Incubate the plate, shaking, at room temperature (about 23° C. to 25° C.) for 30 minutes. Just prior to use, remove blocking buffer and wash plate 4 times with TBST buffer.

B. Seeding Cells

1. NIH 3T3/C7 cell line (Honegger, et al., Cell 51:199-209, 1987) can be use for this assay.

2. Choose dishes having 80-90% confluence for the experiment. Trypsinize cells and stop reaction by adding 10% CS DMEM medium. Suspend cells in DMEM medium (10% CS DMEM medium) and centrifuge once at 1000 rpm, and once at room temperature for 5 minutes.

3. Resuspend cells in seeding medium (DMEM, 0.5% bovine serum), and count the cells using trypan blue. Viability above 90% is acceptable. Seed cells in DMEM medium (0.5% bovine serum) at a density of 10,000 cells per well, 100 μl per well, in a 96 well microtiter plate. Incubate seeded cells in 5% CO₂ at 37° C. for about 40 hours.

C. Assay Procedures

1. Check seeded cells for contamination using an inverted microscope. Dilute drug stock (10 mg/ml in DMSO) 1:10 in DMEM medium, then transfer 5 μl to a test well for a final drug dilution of 1:200 and a final DMSO concentration of 1%. Control wells receive DMSO alone. Incubate in 5% CO₂ at 37° C. for one hour.

2. Prepare EGF ligand: dilute stock EGF in DMEM so that upon transfer of 10 μl dilute EGF (1:12 dilution), 25 nM final concentration is attained.

3. Prepare fresh 10 ml HNTG* sufficient for 100 μl per well wherein HNTG* comprises: HNTG stock (2.0 ml), milli-Q H₂ O (7.3 ml) , EDTA, 100 mM, pH 7.0 (0.5 ml), Na₃ VO₄ 0.5M (0.1 ml) and Na₄ (P₂ O₇) , 0.2M (0.1 ml).

4. Place on ice.

5. After two hours incubation with drug, add prepared EGF ligand to cells, 10 μl per well, to yield a final concentration of 25 nM. Control wells receive DMEM alone. Incubate, shaking, at room temperature, for 5 minutes.

6. Remove drug, EGF, and DMEM. Wash cells twice with PBS. Transfer HNTG* to cells, 100 μl per well. Place on ice for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, remove blocking buffer from other ELISA plate and wash with TEST as described above.

7. With a pipette tip securely fitted to a micropipettor, scrape cells from plate and homogenize cell material by repeatedly aspirating and dispensing the HNTG* lysis buffer. Transfer lysate to a coated, blocked, and washed ELISA plate. Incubate shaking at room temperature for one hour.

8. Remove lysate and wash 4 times with TEST. Transfer freshly diluted anti-Ptyr antibody to ELISA plate at 100 μl per well. Incubate shaking at room temperature for 30 minutes in the presence of the anti-Ptyr antiserum (1:3000 dilution in TEST).

9. Remove the anti-Ptyr antibody and wash 4 times with TEST. Transfer the freshly diluted TAGO 30 anti-rabbit IgG antibody to the ELISA plate at 100 μl per well. Incubate shaking at room temperature for 30 minutes (anti-rabbit IgG antibody: 1:3000 dilution in TBST).

10. Remove detection antibody and wash 4 times with TEST. Transfer freshly prepared ABTS/H₂ O₂ solution to ELISA plate, 100 μl per well. Incubate at room temperature for 20 minutes. ABTS/H₂ O₂ solution: 1.2 μl 30% H₂ O₂ in 10 ml ABTS stock.

11. Stop reaction by adding 50 μl ⁵ N H₂ SO₄ (optional), and determine O.D. at 410 nm.

12. The maximal phosphotyrosine signal is determined by subtracting the value of the negative controls from the positive controls. The percent inhibition of phosphotyrosine content for extract-containing wells is then calculated, after subtraction of the negative controls.

6.1.6. Cellular Insulin Receptor ELISA

The following protocol was used to determine whether the compounds of the present invention possessed insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity.

Materials And Reagents. The following materials and reagents were used to measure phosphotyrosine levels on the insulin receptor (indicating insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity):

1. The preferred cell line was an NIH3T3 cell line (ATCC 1658) which overexpresses Insulin Receptor (H25 cells);

2. H25 cells are grown in an incubator with 5% CO₂ at 37° C. The growth media is DMEM+10% FBS (heat inactivated)+2mm L-Glutamine;

3. For ELISA plate coating, the monoclonal anti-IR antibody named BBE is used. Said antibodies was purified by the Enzymology Lab, SUGEN, Inc.;

4. D-PBS, comprising:

KH₂ PO₄ 0.20 g/l (GIBCO, 310-4190AJ)

K₂ HPO₄ 0 2.16 g/l

KCl 0.20 g/l

NaCl 8.00 g/l (pH 7.2);

5. Blocking Buffer: TBST plus 5% Milk (Carnation Instant Non-Fat Dry Milk);

6. TBST buffer, comprising:

Tris-HCI 50 mM

NaCl 150 mM pH 7.2 (HCI, 1N)

Triton X-100 0.1%

Note: Stock solution of TBS (10×) is prepared, and Triton X-100 is added to the buffer during dilution;

7. HNTG buffer, comprising:

HEPES 2 mM

NaCl 150 mM pH 7.2 (HCI, 1N)

Glycerol 10%

Triton X-100 0.2%

Note: Stock solution (5×) is prepared and kept at 4° C;

8. EDTA.HCI: 0.5M pH 7.0 (NaOH) as 100× stock;

9. Na₃ VO₄ : 0.5M as 100× stock and aliquots are kept in -80° C.;

10. Na₄ P₂ O₇ : 0.2M as 100× stock;

11. Insulin from GIBCO BRL (Cat#18125039);

12. Polyclonal antiserum Anti-phosphotyrosine: rabbit sera generated by Enzymology Lab., SUGEN Inc.;

13. Detection antibody, preferably goat anti-rabbit IgG, POD conjugate, Tago (Cat. No. 4520: Lot No. 1802): Tago, Inc., Burlingame, Calif.;

14. ABTS solution, comprising:

Citric acid 100 mM

Na2HPO4 250 mM pH 4.0 (1N HCI)

ABTS 0.5 mg/ml

wherein ABTS is 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenathiazoline sulfonic acid) and stored in the dark at 4° C. and discarded when it turns green;

15. Hydrogen Peroxide: 30% solution is kept in the dark and at 40° C.

Protocol. All the following steps are conducted at room temperature unless it is specifically indicated. All ELISA plate washings are performed by rinsing the plate with tap water three times, followed by one TBST rinse. All plates were tapped dry with paper towels prior to use.

A. Cell Seeding

1. The cells were grown in tissue culture dish (10 cm, Corning 25020-100) to 80-90% confluence and harvested with Trypsin-EDTA (0.25%, 0.5 ml/D-100, GIBCO);

2. Resuspend the cells in fresh DMEM+10% FBS++2mM L-Glutamine, and transfer to 96-well tissue culture plate (Corning, 25806-96) at 20,000 cells/well (100 μl/well). The cells are then incubated for 1 day. Following such incubation, 0.01% serum medium (90/μl) replaces the old media and the cells incubate in 5% CO₂ and 37° C. overnight.

B. ELISA Plate Coating and Blocking

1. Coat the ELISA plate (Corning 25805-96) with Anti-IR Antibody at 0.5 μg/well in 100 μl PBS at least 2 hours.

2. Remove the coating solution, and replace with 100 u; blocking Buffer, and shake for 30 minutes. Remove the blocking buffer and wash the plate just before adding lysate.

C. Assay Procedures

1. The drugs are tested in serum-free condition.

2. Dilute drug stock (in 100% DMSO) 1:10 with DMEM in 96-well poly-propylene plate, and transfer 10 μl/well of this solution to the cells to achieve final drug dilution 1:100, and final DMSO concentration of 1.0%. Incubate the cells in 5% CO₂ at 37° C. for 2 hours.

3. Prepare fresh cells lysis buffer (HNTG*)

HNTG (5×) 2 ml

EDTA 0.1 ml

Na₃ VO₄ 0.1 ml

Na₄ P₂ O₇ 0.1 ml

H₂ O 7.3 ml

HNTG* 10 ml

4. After drug incubation for two hours, transfer 10 μl/well of 1 μM insulin in PBS to the cells (Final conc=100 nM) , and incubate at 5% CO₂ at 37° C. for 10 minutes.

5. Remove media and add 100 μl/well HNTG* and shake for 10 minutes. Look at cells under microscope to see if they are adequately lysed.

6. Using a 12-channel pipette, scrape the cells from the plate, and homogenize the lysate by repeat aspiration and dispense. Transfer all the lysate to the antibody coated ELISA plate, and shake for 1 hour.

7. Remove the lysate, wash the plate, transfer anti-pTyr (1:3,000 with TEST) 100 μl/well, and shake for 30 minutes.

8. Remove anti-pTyr, wash the plate, transfer Tago (1:3,000 with TEST) 100 μl/well, and shake for 30 minutes.

9. Remove detection antibody, wash the plate, and transfer fresh ABTS/H₂ O₂ (1.2 μl H₂ O₂ to 10 ml AETS) 100 μl/well to the plate to start color development.

10. Measure OD in Dynatec MR5000, which is connected to Ingres. All following steps should follow Ingres instruction.

6.1.7. Experimental Results From ELISA Assays

The experimental results for Compounds 4158 and 4350 using the above-described protocols are set forth at Table 1:

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________     ELISA Assay Results                                                               IGR-              HER-2                                                                              HER-2                                                                               FLK-1                                            #  IR  IR   EGFR                                                                               PDGFR                                                                               BT474                                                                              3T3  Cell.                                                                              FLK-1                                        __________________________________________________________________________     A  >100                                                                               >100      >50 3.9 11                                                    B  23.8     <100                                                                               >100 8   3.7                                                   __________________________________________________________________________

6.2. Cell Growth Assays

The following assays may be conducted to measure the effect of the claimed compounds upon cell growth as a result of the compound's interaction with one or more RTKs. Unless otherwise specified, the following assays may be generally applied to measure the activity of a compound against any particular RTK. To the extent that an assay, set forth below, refers to a specific RTK, one skilled in the art would be able to adapt the disclosed protocol for use to measure the activity of a second RTK.

6.2.1. Soft Agar Assay

The soft agar assay may be used to measure the effects oil substances on cell growth. Unless otherwise stated the soft agar assays were carried out as follows:

Material And Reagents. The following materials and reagents were used:

a. A Water bath set at 39° C. and another water bath at 37° C.

b. 2× assay medium is comprised of 2× Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) (Gibco Cat. # CA400-4AN03) supplemented by the following:

20% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) 2 mM sodium pyruvate 4 mM glutamine amine; and

20 mM HEPES Non-essential Amino Acids (1:50 froc. 100× stock).

c. 1× assay medium made of 1× DMEM supplemented with 10% FES, 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 2 mM glutamine, 10 mM HEPES, non-essential amino acid (1:100 from 100× stock).

d. 1.6% SeaPlaque Agarose in autoclave bottle.

e. Sterile 35 mm Corning plates (FMC Bioproducts Cat. #50102).

f. Sterile 5 ml glass pipets (individually wrapped).

g. Sterile 15 ml and 50 ml conical centrifuge tubes.

h. Pipets and sterile tips.

i. Sterile microcentrifuge tubes.

j. Cells in T75 flasks: SKOV-3 (ATCC HTB77).

k. 0.25% Trypsin solution (Gibco #25200-015).

Procedure. The following procedure was used to conduct the soft agar assay:

A. Procedure for making the base layer

1. Have all the media warmed up in the 37°C. water bath.

2. To make 1× of assay medium+0.8% agar: make a 1:2 (vol:vol) dilution of melted agar (cooled to 39° C.), with 2× assay medium.

3. Keep all media with agar warm in the 39° C. water bath when not in use.

4. Dispense 1 ml of 1× assay medium+0.8% agar into dishes and gently swirl plate to form a uniform base layer. Bubbles should be avoided.

5. Refrigerate base layers to solidify (about 20 minutes). Base layers can be stored overnight in the refrigerator.

B. Procedure for collecting cells

1. Take out one flask per cell line from the incubator; aspirate off medium; wash once with PBS and aspirate off; add 3 ml of trypsin solution.

2. After all cells dissociate from the flask, add 3 ml of 1× assay media to inhibit trypsin activity. Pipet the cells up and down, then transfer the suspension into a 15ml tube.

3. Determine the concentration of cells using a Coulter counter, and the viability by trypan blue exclusion.

4. Take out the appropriate volume needed to seed 3300 viable cells per plate and dilute it to 1.5 ml with 1×assay medium.

C. Procedure for making the upper 0.4% agarose layer

1. Add TBST compounds at twice the desired final assay concentration; +1.5 ml of cell suspension in 1×assay medium 10% FBS; +1.5 ml of 1× assay medium+0.8% agarose*: Total=3.0 ml 1×media 10% FBS+0.4% agarose with 3300 viable cells/ml, with and without TBST compounds.

*(Made by 1:2 dilution of 2× media with 1.6% agar 30 for the base layer procedure above.)

2. Plate 1 ml of the Assay Mix onto the 1 ml base layer. The duplicates are plated from the 3 ml volume.

3. Incubate the dishes for 2-3 weeks in a 100% humidified, 10% CO₂ incubator.

4. Colonies that are 60 microns and larger are scored positive.

6.2.2. Sulforhodamine B (SRB) Growth Assays

Assay 1: MCF-7 RB Growth Assay. MCF-7 cells are seeded at 2000 cells/well in a 96-well flat bottom plate in normal growth media, which was 10% FBS/RPMI supplemented with 2 mM Glutamine. The plate of cells is incubated for about 24 hours at 37° C. after which it receives an equal volume of compound dilution per well making the total volume per well 200 μl. The compound is prepared at 2 times the desired highest final concentration and serially diluted in the normal growth media in a 96-well round bottom plate and then transferred to plate of cells. DMSO serves as the vector control up to 0.2% as final concentration. The cells are then incubated at 37° C. in a humidified 5% CO₂ incubator. Four days following dosing of compound, the media is 15 discarded and 200 μl/well of ice-cold 10% TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid) is added to fix cells. After 60 minutes at 4° C., the TCA is discarded and the plate is rinsed 5 times with water. The plate is then air-dried and 100 μl/well of 0.4% SRB (Sulforhodamine B from Sigma) 20 in 1% Acetic Acid is added to stain cells for 10 minutes at room temperature. The SRB is discarded and the plate is rinsed 5 times with 1% Acetic Acid. After the plate is completely dried, 100 μl/well of 10 mM Tris-base is added to solubilize the dye. After 5 to 10 minutes, the plate is read on a Dynatech ELISA Plate Reader at dual wavelengths at 570 nm and 630 nm.

Assay 2: PDGF-R/SRB Adherent Cells Growth Assay. Compounds were tested for inhibition of anchorage-dependent tumor cell growth using the colorimetric assay described by Skehan et al., 1990. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 82:1107-1112. The assay measures protein content of acid-fixed cells using the counterion binding dye sulforhodamine B (SRB, Sigma). The compounds were solubilized in DMSO (Sigma, cell culture grade) and diluted into appropriate growth medium at two-fold the desired final assay concentration. In assays using C6 cells, compounds (100 μl) were added to 96-well plates containing attached cellular monolayers (2000 cells/well in 100 l). C6 cells were maintained in Ham's F10 supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 2 mM glutamine (GLN). After 4 days (37° C., 5% CO₂) the monolayers were washed 3 times with PBS and fixed with 200 μl ice-cold 10% TCA (Fisher Scientific), and kept at 4° C. for 60 min. The TCA was removed and the fixed monolayers were washed 5 times with tap water and allowed to dry completely at room temperature on absorbent paper. The cellular protein was stained for 10 min. with 100 μl 0.4% SRB dissolved in 1% acetic acid. After 5 washes with tap water, the dye was solubilized in 10 mM Tris base (100 μl per well) and absorbance read at 570 nm on a Dynatech plate reader model MR5000. Growth inhibition data are expressed as a percentage of absorbance detected in control wells which were treated with 0.4% DMSO alone. DMSO controls were not different from cells grown in regular growth medium. IC₅₀ values were determined using a four parameter curve fit function.

For the anchorage-independent tumor cell growth assay, cells (3000 to 5000 per dish) suspended in 0.4% agarose in assay medium (DMEM containing 10% FCS) with and without Compounds were plated into 35 mm dishes coated with a solidified agarose base layer (0.8% agarose). After a 2 to 3 week incubation at 37° C., colonies larger than 50 μm were quantified using an Omnicon 3800 Tumor Colony counter.

Assay 3: MCF-7/HER-2B Growth Assay. The protocol is basically the same as that above (for the MCF-7 Growth Assay) except that immediately before the 30 compound is added, the normal growth media is removed and 0.5% FBS/RPMI supplemented with 2 mM Glutamine is added onto the cells. The compound is also prepared in this 0.5% serum media. The plate of cells is incubated for four days and developed as usual.

6.2.3. 3T3 Cell Growth Assay

Assay 1: 3T3/ HER2 Cell Growth Assay

The NIH3T3 growth assay, using cell lines capable of expressing HER2, was carried out as follows:

Materials and Reagents. The following materials and reagents were used:

a. Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (D-MEM), Gibco 511965-050:

b. Calf serum, Gibco 16170-029;

c. Trypsin-EDTA, Gibco 25200-056;

d. Fetal Bovine Serum Certified, Gibco 16000-028;

e. Dulbecco' 5 Phosphate-Buffered Saline (D-PBS), Gibco 14190-029;

f. Sulforhodamine B (SRB), Sigma 5-9012 0.4% SRB in 1% acetic acid;

g. 10 mM Tris-base, Fisher BP152-5;

h. 10% TCA, Trichroloacetic acid, Fisher A322-500;

i. 96-well flat bottom plate (sterile), Corning 08-757-155;

j. 100 ml reagent reservoir 9 (sterile), Matrix Technologies Corporation, 8086;

k. Sterile pipet tips, Fisher 21-197-8E;

l. 50 ml sterile TBST tubes, Fisher 05-539-6; and

m. NIH3T3C7 cells in 10% CS+2 mM glutamine DMEM HER2C7 cells in 2% FBS+2 mM glutamine DMEM

Procedures. The following protocol was followed to conduct the assay:

1. HER2C7 (engineered to express HER2) and NIH3T3C7 (as the control) cells are used for this assay. NIH3T3C7 cells are seeded at 2500 cells/well, 10 μl/well in 10% CS+2 mM glutamine DMEM, in a 96 well plate; HER2C7 cells are seeded at 6000 cells/well, 100 μl/well in 2% FBS+2 mM glutamine DMEM, in a 96 well plate. Cells are incubated at 37° C., 5% CO₂ overnight to allow for cell attachment to the plate;

2. The TBST compound is added to the cells at day 2. The compounds are prepared in the appropriate growth medium (10% CS+2 mM) glutamine DMEM for NIH3T3C7 cells; 2% FBS+2 mM glutamine DMEM for HER2C7 cells) in a 96 well plate, and serially diluted. A total of 100 μl/well medium of the diluted compounds is added into the cells. The total volume of each well is 200 μl. Quadruplicates (wells) and 11 concentration points are applied to each compound tested.

3. After the cells are treated with the compound for 4 days, the cells are washed with PBS and fixed with 200 μl/well ice-cold 10% TCA for one hour at 0-5° C. condition.

4. Remove TCA and rinse wells 5% times with deionized water. Dry plates upside down with paper towels. Stain cells with 0.4% SRB at 100 μl/well for 10 minutes.

5. Pour off SRB and rinse plate 5 times with 1% acetic acid. Dry plate completely.

6. Solubilize the dye with 10 mM Tris-base at 100 μl/well for 10 minutes on a shaker.

7. Read the plate at dual wavelengths at 570 nm and 630 nm on Dynatech Elisa plate reader.

Assay 2: IGF-I Receptor Growth Assay

Materials And Methods. The following materials were used to conduct the IGF-I receptor growth assay:

a. The NIH3T3/IGF-1R (10% FBS/2 mM glutamine/DMEM) and NIH3T3 c7 (10% calf serum/2 mM glutamine/DMEM) cell lines were used wherein the NIH3T3 cells (and cells derived from them) were handled such that they were not allowed to become confluent, thus decreasing the likelihood of spontaneous transformation. If the cells showed any signs of being transformed (morphological changes, piling up, moving into clumps), the cells were discarded and new cells were used.

b. 10% FBS/2 mM glutamine/DMEM.

c. 0.5% FBS/2 mM glutamine/DMEM.

d. 10% calf serum/2 mM glutamine/DMEM

e. IGF-1, 5 μM in sterile PBS (Promega/Fisher cat. #G5111).

f. DMSO, tissue culture grade (Sigma cat. #D 2650).

g. 100 mM of relevant compound in DMSO.

h. 96-well plates, flat and round bottom.

i. 8 channel pipettor and sterile tips.

j. Sterile reagent reservoirs.

k. Sterile tubes (1.5 or 15 ml).

Using the above described materials, the following steps were performed under aseptic conditions until fixing the cells for the SRB assay:

Day 0: Cell Plating--Trypsinize and count NIH3T3/IGF-1R and NIH3T3 c7 cells. Dilute in growth media to 2000 cells/200 μl and seed flat bottom 96-well plates with 200 μl/well, one plate for two compounds for each cell line.

Day 1: Compound Preparation--Add DMSO to each compound to make 100 mM stock solutions. If a compound does not go into solution with vortexing, add extra DMSO to make 50 mM or less, as required.

Aliquot each compound to 3-4 sterile screw cap tubes and store at -20° C. After thawing, make sure the compound has gone completely back into solution. Throw away after 3 freeze/thaws.

NIH3T31IGF-1R cells--For each 96-well plate, make 15 ml of 10 nM IGF-1/0.5% FBS/2 mM glutamine/DMEM (30 μl of 5 μM IGF-1/15 ml).

Aliquot 1.5 ml 10 nM IGF-1/0.5% FBS to a sterile tube for each compound to be tested (the first time a compound is tested, use a 15 ml tube in case it is necessary to add extra medium to get it into solution).

Add 3 μl of 100 mM stock of each compound to a tube so 200 μM final. Shake or vortex until it goes into solution. If it is necessary to add additional medium, note the final concentration.

For the DMSO control, prepare 0.5 ml/plate of 0.2% DMSO/10 nM IGF-1/0.5% FBS (2 μl DMSO/ml).

For every two compounds, aliquot 130 μl 10 nM IGF-1/0.5% FBS to wells in columns 2-11 of a 96-well round bottom plate.

Add 260 μl of each compound to four wells in column 12.

Do 2-fold dilutions (130 μl) from columns 12 to 3 on each plate (column 2 will be for the untreated control), mixing thoroughly.

Remove medium from NIH3T3/IGF-1R cells, one plate at a time.

Transfer 120 μl from each well on a compound dilution plate to the corresponding well of cells.

Add 120 μl 0.2% DMSO/10 nM IGF-1/0.5% FBS to four wells in column 1.

Add 120 μ0.5% FBS (without IGF-1) to other four wells in column 1 for negative control.

NIH3T3 c7 cells--Carry out the same steps as for NIH3T3/IGF-1R cells except use 10% calf serum instead of 0.5% FBS and do not include IGF-1.

Day 4: Refeed--Repeat steps above, adding exactly the same IGF-1 and compound concentration to each well as before.

Day 6: Analysis of cells--Look at wells with the highest concentrations for each compound to make sure it has not precipitated. If so, mark wells and do not use for data calculations

Also scan plates to make sure none of the wells are contaminated. If so, mark wells and do not use for data calculations. Detection--Follow the steps for fixing and staining described in the SOP for SRB Assays.

Day X: Data analysis--Find averages and standard deviations for each set of four OD's.

Using wells in column 2 (treated with IGF-1 but not compound) as 100%, calculate percent of control for each concentration of compound.

Determine the fold difference between the IGF-1-treated and untreated cells. It should be 2-3-fold.

Determine the percent of control for 0.2% DMSO. If it is less than 95%, do not use the highest compound concentration to calculate the IC₅₀ value.

Use a curve fit method to graph percent of control vs. log(molar concentration) and determine the IC₅₀.

Assay 3: NIH3T3/EGFR Cell Growth Assay

The following cellular models illustrate the ability of the exemplary compounds to inhibit receptor tyrosine kinases, generally, and HER2 and/or EGFR particularly.

(a) NIH3T3 clone C7 (Honegger et al., supra) engineered to over-express human EGF receptor;

(b) NIH3T3 cells engineered to over-express a chimeric receptor containing the EGFR extracellular domain and the HER2 intracellular kinase domain;

(c) the human mammary carcinoma line BT474 (ATCC HTB2) expressing HER2; and

(d) the human glioblastoma line U1242 that expresses PDGFR-beta.

Growth assays were carried out using human mammary epithelial SKBR3 (ATCC HTB30) cells, SKOV3 (ATCC HTE77) human ovarian cancer cell line, A431 cells, MCF7 human breast carcinoma cells, MCF7 cells overexpress the HER2 kinase (MCF7-HER2), NIH3T3 cells, and NIH3T3 cells overexpressing the HER2 kinase (3T3-HER2)

SKBR3 cells over-express HER2. A431 cells over-express EGFR. These cells were dispensed into 96-well plates with test compounds. After 4 days the monolayers were TCA-fixed then stained with sulphorhodamine B. The absorbance versus log drug concentration was plotted and IC₅₀ values estimated.

SKOV3 cells also over-express HER2. These cells were plated into soft agar with a test compound and colony growth was quantified 2 weeks later using an Omnicon colony counter.

6.2.4. HUV-EC-C Assay

The following protocol may also be used to measure a compound's activity:

DAY 0

1. Wash and trypsinize HUV-EC-C cells (human umbilical vein endothelial cells, (American Type Culture Collection; catalogue no. 1730 CRL). Wash with Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline (D-PBS; obtained from Gibco BRL; catalogue no. 14190-029) 2 times at about 1 ml/10 cm² of tissue culture flask. Trypsinize with 0.05% trypsin-EDTA in non-enzymatic cell dissociation solution (Sigma Chemical Company; catalogue no. C-1544). The 0.05% trypsin was made by diluting 0.25% trypsin/l mM EDTA (Gibco; catalogue no. 25200-049) in the cell dissociation solution. Trypsinize with about 1 ml/25-30 cm² of tissue culture flask for about 5 minutes at 37° C. After cells have detached from the flask, add an equal volume of D-PBS and transfer to a 50 ml sterile centrifuge tube (Fisher Scientific; catalogue no. 05-539-6).

2. Wash the cells with about 35 ml D-PBS in the 50 ml sterile centrifuge tube by adding the D-PBS, centrifuge for 10 minutes at approximately 200×g, aspirate the supernatant, and resuspend with 35 ml D-PBS. Repeat the wash two more times, resuspend the cells in about 1 ml assay medium/15 cm² of tissue culture flask. Assay medium consists of F12K medium (Gibco BRL; catalogue no. 21127-014) +0.5% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum. Count the cells with a Coulter Counter®v Coulter Electronics, Inc.) and add assay medium to the cells to obtain a concentration of 0.8-1.0×10⁵ cells/ml.

3. Add cells to 96-well flat-bottom plates at 100 μl/well or 0.8×1.0×10⁴ cells/well; incubate ˜24 h at 37° C., 5% CO₂.

DAY 1

1. Make up two-fold drug titrations in separate 96-well plates, generally 50 μM on down to 0 μM. Use the same assay medium as mentioned in day 0, step 2 above. Titrations are made by adding 120 μl/well of drug at 200 μM (4× the final well concentration) to the top well of a particular plate column. Since the stock drug concentration is 10 mM and in 100% DMSO, the 200 μM drug concentration is 0.5% DMSO.

Therefore, diluent made up of 0.5% DMSO in assay medium (F12K+0.5% fetal bovine serum) is used as diluent for the drug titrations in order to dilute the drug but keep the DMSO concentration constant. Add this diluent to the remaining wells in the column at 60 μl/well. Take 60 μl from the 120 μl of 200 μM drug dilution in the top well of the column and mix with the 60 μl in the second well of the column. Take 60 μl from this well and mix with the 60 μl in the third well of the column, and so on until two-fold titrations are completed. When the next-to-the-last well is mixed, take 60 μl of the 120 μl in this well and discard it. Leave the last well with 60 μl of DMSO/media diluent as a non-drug-containing control. Make 9 columns of titrated drug, enough for triplicate wells each for 1) VEGF (obtained from Pepro Tech Inc., catalogue no. 100-200, 2) endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF)(also known as acidic fibroblast growth factor, or aFGF)(obtained from Boehringer Mannheim Biochemica, catalogue no. 1439 600), and assay media control. ECGF comes as a preparation with sodium heparin.

2. Transfer 50 μl/well of the drug dilutions to the 96-well assay plates containing the 0.8-1.0×10⁴ cells/100 μl/well of the HUV-EC-C cells from day 0 and incubate ˜2 h at 37° C., 5% CO₂.

3. In triplicate, add 50 μl/well of 80 ng/ml VEGF 20 ng/ml ECGF, or media control to each drug condition. As with the drugs, the growth factor concentrations are 4× the desired final concentration. Use the assay media from day 0 step 2 to make the concentrations of growth factors. Incubate approximately 24 hours at 37° C, 5% CO₂. Each well will have 50 μl drug dilution, 50 μl growth factor or media, and 100 ul cells, =200 ul/well total. Thus the 4× concentrations of drugs and growth factors become 1× once everything has been added to the wells.

DAY 2

1. Add ³ H-thymidine (Amersham; catalogue no. TRK-686) at 1 μCi/well (10 μl/well of 100 μCi/ml solution made up in RPMI media+10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum) and incubate ˜24 h at 37° C., 5% CO₂. Note: ³ H-thymidine is made up in RPMI media because all of the other applications for which we use the ³ H-thymidine involve experiments done in RPMI. The media difference at this step is probably not significant RPMI was obtained from Gibco BRL, catalogue no. 11875-051.

DAY 3

1. Freeze plates overnight at 20° C.

DAY 4

1. Thaw plates and harvest with a 96-well plate harvester (Tomtec Harvester 96®) onto filter mats (Wallac; catalogue no. 1205-401); read counts on a Wallac Betaplate(™) liquid scintillation counter.

6.2.5. PDGF-R Cellular Assay

The PDGF cellular kinase assay was carried out as follows: cells are lysed in 0.2M Hepes, 0.15M NaCl, 10% V/V glycerol, 0.04% Triton X-100, 5 mM EDTA, 5 mM sodium vanadate and 2 mM Na+pyrophosphate; cell lysates are then added to an ELISA plate coated with an anti-PDGF receptor antibody (Genzyme); ELISA plates are coated at 0.5 μg of antibody/well in 150 μl of PBS for 18 hours at 4° C. prior to the addition of the lysate; the lysate is incubated in the coated plates for 1 hour and then washed four times in TBST (35 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.0, 0.15M NaCl, 0.1% Triton X100); anti-phosphotyrosine antibody (100 μl in PBS) is added and the mixture is incubated for 30 minutes at room temperature; the wells were then washed four times in TBST, a secondary antibody conjugated to POD (TAGO) is added to each well, and the treated well are incubated for 30 minutes at room temperature; the wells are then washed four times in TBST, ABTS/H₂ O₂ solution is added to each well and the wells are incubated for two minutes; absorbance is then measured at 410 nm.

6.2.6. Experimental Results Of Cell Growth Assay

Results for compound 4158 from the above-described assays are set forth at Table 2:

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Cell Growth Assays                                                                 3T3         3T3        MCF7                                                Comp.                                                                              IGF-1R 3T3  HER-2 3T3  Her-2  MCF7                                         #   0.5% FBS                                                                              10% FBS                                                                             2% FBS                                                                               10% FBS                                                                             0.5% FBS                                                                              10% FBS                                      __________________________________________________________________________     A   2.5    5.6  1.8   70   0.8    2                                            __________________________________________________________________________

6.3. Measurement Of Cell Toxicity

Therapeutic compounds should be more potent in inhibiting receptor tyrosine kinase activity than in exerting a cytotoxic effect. A measure of the effectiveness and cell toxicity of a compound can be obtained by determining the therapeutic index: IC₅₀ /LD₅₀. IC₅₀, the dose required to achieve 50% inhibition, can be measured using standard techniques such as those described herein. LD₅₀, the dosage which results in 50% toxicity can also be measured by standard techniques (Mossman, 1983, J. Inmunol. Methods, 65:55-63), by measuring the amount of LDH released (Korzeniewski and Callewaert, 1983, J. Immunol. Methods 64:313; Decker and Lohmann-Matthes, 1988, J. Immunol. Methods 115:61), or by measuring the lethal dose in animal models. Compounds with a large therapeutic index are preferred. The therapeutic index should be greater than 2, preferably at least 10, more preferably at least 50.

6.4. In Vivo Animal Models 6.4.1. Xenograft Animal Models

The ability of human tumors to grow as xenografts in athymic mice (e.g., Balb/c, nu/nu) provides a useful in vivo model for studying the biological response to therapies for human tumors. Since the first successful xenotransplantation of human tumors into athymic mice, (Rygaard and Povlsen, 1969, Acta Pathol. Microbial. Scand. 77:758-760), many different human tumor cell lines (e.g., mammary, lung, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, head and neck, glioblastoma, bone, and malignant melanomas) have been transplanted and successfully grown in nude mice. Human mammary tumor cell lines including MCF-7, ZR75-1, and MDA-MB-231, have been established as subcutaneous xenografts in nude mice (Warri et al., 1991, Int. J. Cancer 49:616-623; Ozzello and Sordat, 1980, Eur. J. Cancer 16:553-559; Osborne et al., 1985, Cancer Res. 45:584-590; Seibert et al., 1983, Cancer Res. 43:2223-2239).

Assay 1: HER2/Xenograft Animal Model

To study the effect of anti-tumor drug candidates on HER2 expressing tumors, the tumor cells should be able to grow in the absence of supplemental estrogen. Many mammary cell lines are dependent on estrogen for in vivo growth in nude mice (Osborne et al., supra), however, exogenous estrogen suppresses HER2 expression in nude mice (Warri et al., supra, Dati et al., 1990, Oncogene 5:1001-1006). For example, in the presence of estrogen. MCF-7, ZR-75-1, and T47D cells grow well in vivo, but express very low levels of HER2 (Warri et al., supra, Dati et al., supra).

The following type of xenograft protocol can be used:

1) implant tumor cells (subcutaneously) into the hindflank of five- to six-week-old female Balb/c nu/nu athymic mice;

2) administer the anti-tumor compound;

3) measure tumor growth by measuring tumor volume.

The tumors can also be analyzed for the presence of a receptor, such as HER2, EGF or PDGF, by Western and immunohistochemical analyses. Using techniques known in the art, one skilled in the art can vary the above procedures, for example through the use of different treatment regimes.

Assay 2: FLK-1/Xenograft Model

The ability of the compounds of the present invention to inhibit ovarian melanoma, prostate, lung and mammary tumor cell lines established as SC xenografts was examined. These studies were conducted using doses ranging from 12 to 20 mg/kg/day.

Materials And Methods. The tumor cells were implanted subcutaneously into the indicated strains of mice. Treatment was initiated on day 1 post implantation unless otherwise indicated (e.g. treatment of the SCID mouse related to the A375 melanoma cell line began on Day 9). Eight (8) to ten (10) mice comprised each test group.

Specifically

Animals. Female athymic mice (BALB/c, nu/nu), BALB/c mice, Wistar rats and Fisher 344 rats were obtained from Simonsen Laboratories (Gilroy, Calif.). Female A/I mice were obtained from Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, Me.). DA rats were obtained from B&K Universal, Inc. (Fremont, Calif.). Athymic R/Nu rats, DBA/2N mice, and BALB/c mice were obtained from Harlan Sprague Dawley (Indianapolis, Ind.). Female C57BL/6 mice were obtained from Taconic (Germantown, N.Y.). All animals were maintained under clean-room conditions in Micro-isolator cages with Alpha-dri bedding. They received sterile rodent chow and water ad libitum.

All procedures were conducted in accordance with the NIH Guide for the Care and Use Of Laboratory Animals.

Subcutaneous Xenograft Model. Cell lines were grown in appropriate medium as described (See Section 6). Cells were harvested at or near confluency with 0.05% Trypsin-EDTA and pelleted at 450×g for 10 min. Pellets were resuspended in sterile PBS or media (without FBS) to a suitable concentration indicated in the Figure legends and the cells were implanted into the hindflank of mice. Tumor growth was measured over 3 to 6 weeks using venier calipers tumor volumes were calculated as a product of length×width×height unless otherwise indicated. P values were calculated using the Students' t-test. su101 in 50-100 μL excipient (dimethylsulfoxide, PBTE, PBTE6C:D5W, or PBTE:D5W) was delivered by IP injection at concentrations indicated in the Figure legends.

Intracerebral Xenograft Model. For the mouse IC model, rat C6 glioma cells were harvested and suspended in sterile PBS at a concentration of 2.5×10₇ cells/ml and placed on ice. Cells were implanted into BALB/c, nu/nu mice in the following manner: the frontoparietal scalps of mice were shaved with animal clippers if necessary before swabbing with 70% ethanol. Animals were anesthetized with isofluorane and the needle was inserted through the skull into the left hemisphere of the brain. Cells were dispensed from Hamilton Gas-tight Syringes using 30 ga 1/2 inch needles fitted with sleeves that allowed only a 3 mm penetration. A repeater dispenser was used for accurate delivery of 4 μL of cell suspension. Animals were monitored daily for well-being and were sacrificed when they had a weight loss of about 40% and/or showed neurological symptoms.

For the rat IC model, rats (Wistar, Sprague Dawley, Fisher 344, or athymic R/Nu; approximately 200 g) were anesthetized by an IP injection of 100 mg/kg Ketaset (ketamine hydrochloride; Aveco, Fort Dodge, Iowa) and 5 mg/kg RompBayer, Germa, 2% solution; Bayer, Germany). After onset of anesthesia, the scalp was shaved and the animal was oriented in a stereotaxic apparatus (Stoelting, Wood Dale, Ill.). The skin at the incision site was cleaned 3 times with alternating swabs of 70% ethanol and 10% Poidone-Iodine Iodine. A median 1.0-1.5 cm incision was made in the scalp using a sterile surgical blade. The skin was detached slightly and pulled to the sides to expose the sutures on the skull surface. A dental drill (Stopiting, Wood Dale, Ill.) was used to make a small (1-2 mm diameter) burrhole in the skull approximately 1 mm anterior and 2 mm lateral to the bregma. The cell suspension was drawn into a 50 μL Hamilton syringe fitted with a 23 or 25 g a standard bevel needle. The syringe was oriented in the burrhole at the level of the arachnoidea and lowered until the tip of the needle was 3 mm deep into the brain structure, where the cell suspension was slowly injected. After cells were injected, the needle was left in the burrhole for 1-2 minutes to allow for complete delivery of the cells. The skull was cleaned and the skin was closed with 2 to 3 sutures. Animals were observed for recovery from surgery and anesthesia. Throughout the experiment, animals were observed at least twice each day for development of symptoms associated with progression of intracerebral tumor. Animals displaying advanced symptoms (leaning, loss of balance, dehydration, loss of appetite, loss of coordination, cessation of grooming activities, and/or significant weight loss) were humanely sacrificed and the organs and tissues of interest were resected.

Intraperitoneal Model. Cell lines were grown in the appropriate media. Cells were harvested and washed in sterile PBS or medium without FBS, resuspended to a suitable concentration, and injected into the IP cavity of mice of the appropriate strain. Mice were observed daily for the occurrence of ascites formation. Individual animals were sacrificed when they presented with a weight gain of 40%, or when the IP tumor burden began to cause undue stress and pain to the animal.

6.4.2. In Vivo VEGF Pellet Model

In the following example, the Pellet Model was used in connection with testing a compound's activity against the FLK-1 receptor. More specifically, in order to determine the whether a compound is an effective FLK-1 inhibitor to disorders associated with the presence of VEGF, and more specifically, whether a compound may effectively inhibit the formation of blood vessels, a VEGF pellet model for designed. In this model, VEGF is packaged into a time-release pellet and implanted subcutaneously on the abdomen of nude mice to induce a `reddening` response and subsequent swelling around the pellet. Potential FLK-1 inhibitors may then be implanted in methylcellulose near the VEGF pellet to determine whether such inhibitor may be used to inhibit the "reddening" response and subsequent swelling.

Materials And Methods. The following materials were used:

1) VEGF-human recombinant lyophilized product is commercially may be obtained from Peprotech, Inc., Princeton Business Park, G2; P.O. box 275; Rocky Hill, N.J. 08553.

2) VEGF packaged into 21 day release pellets were obtained from Innovative Research of America, using patented matrix driven delivery system. Pellets were packaged at 0.20, 0.21, or 2.1 μg VEGF/pellet. These doses approximate 10 and 100 ng/day release of VEGF. (Innovative Research of America, 3361 Executive Parkway, P.O. box 2746, Toledo, Ohio 43606)

3) Methylcellulose

4) Water (sterile)

5) Methanol

6) Appropriate drugs/inhibitors

7) 10 cm culture plates

8) parafilm

The following protocol was then followed to conduct the VEGF pellet model:

1) VEGF, purchased from Peprotech, was sent to Innovative Research for Custom Pellet preparation;

2) Methylcellulose prepared at 1.5% (w/v) in sterile water;

3) Drugs solubilized in methanol (usual concentration range=10 to 20 mg/ml);

4) Place sterile parafilm in sterile 10 cm plates;

5) 150 μl of drug in methanol added to 1.35 ml of 1.5% methylcellulose and mixed/vortexed thoroughly;

6) 25 μl aliquots of homogenate placed on parafilm and dried into discs;

7) Mice (6-10 wk. Balb/C athymic nu/nu, female) were anesthetized via isoflurane inhalation;

8) VEGF pellets and methylcellulose discs were implanted subcutaneously on the abdomen; and

9) Mice were scored at 24 hours and 48 hours for reddening and swelling response.

The specific experimental design used in this example was:

N=4 animals/group

Controls

VEGF pellet+drug placebo

VEGF placebo+drug pellet

Experimental Results. The compounds of the present invention are expected to demonstrate activity according to this assay.

6.4.3. Mammary Fat Pad Model

Because of the established role played by many of the RTKs, e.g., the HER2 receptor, in breast cancer, the mammary fat pad model is particularly useful for measuring the efficacy of compounds which inhibit such RTKs. By implanting tumor cells directly into the location of interest, in situ models more accurately reflect the biology of tumor development than do subcutaneous models. Human mammary cell lines, including MCF-7, have been grown in the mammary fat pad of athymic mice. Shafie and Grantham, 1981, Natl. Cancer Instit. 67:51-56; Gottardis et al., 1988, J. Steroid Biochem. 30:311-314. More specifically, the following procedure can be used to measure the inhibitory effect of a compound on the HER2 receptor:

1) Implant, at various concentrations, MDA-MB-231 and MOF-7 cells transfected with HER-2 into the axillary mammary fat pads of female athymic mice;

2) Administer the compound; and

3) Measure the tumor growth at various time points.

The tumors can also be analyzed for the presence of a receptor such as HER2, by Western and immunohistochemical analyses. Using techniques known in the art, one skilled in the art can vary the above procedures, for example through the use of different treatment regimes.

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the exemplified embodiments which are intended as illustrations of single aspects of the invention, and any clones, DNA or amino acid sequences which are functionally equivalent are within the scope of the invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 

What is claimed:
 1. A method for treating diseases related to receptor tyrosine kinase signal transduction comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of a compound having the formula: ##STR5## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: X is O or S;Q is monocyclic or bicyclic aryl optionally substituted with one or more R² group(s); n is 1, 2, 3 or 4; R¹ is cyano, NO₂, C(O)NHR², S(O)₂ R² or S(O)₂ NHR² ; and R² is H, halo, trihalomethyl, alkyl, thioalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonyl, amide, carboxyl, sulfonamide, or amino so as to correct the signal transduction and thereby treat the disease.
 2. A method of claim 1 wherein said disease is selected from the group consisting of cancer, blood vessel proliferative disorders, fibrotic disorders, mesangial cell proliferative disorders and metabolic diseases.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the cancer selected from the group consisting of brain cancers, bladder cancers, ovarian cancers, gastric cancers, pancreas cancers, colon cancers, blood cancers, lung cancers and bone cancers.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the blood vessel proliferative disorder is selected from the group consisting of cancer, arthritis and restenosis.
 5. The method of claim 2 wherein the fibrotic disorder is selected from the group consisting of hepatic cirrhosis and atherosclerosis.
 6. The method of claim 2 wherein the mesangial cell proliferative disorder is selected from the group consisting of glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, malignant nephrosclerosis, thrombotic microangiopathy syndromes, transplant rejection and glomerulopathies.
 7. The method of claim 2 wherein the methabolic disorder is selected from the group consisting of diabetes mellitus, wound healing, inflammation and neurodegenerative disease.
 8. The method of claim 1, with the proviso that Q is not unsubstituted pyrazole, unsubstituted phenyl, unsubstituted naphthalenyl, or pyrimidine poly-substituted with alkoxy. 